Patterns and Predictions

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today, as we near the end of the Liturgical Year, presents the story of Daniel in the lions den and the prediction in the Gospel of Luke concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of the coming of the "end times". We are very concerned with what the future will bring. The work we do and our responsibilities to family and others necessitate that we plan to meet future requirements for our service as spouse, dad, bread winner, financial manager, friend and so on. The faith attitude with which we face the challenges and our attempt to fit the events into the spiritual journey to beauty and simplicity, regardless of the surface or first appearance, will allow us to be the tranquil Daniel as he confidently joins the lions in the Den. The impact on evangelization of our choice to trust can be profound as the proclamation of King Darius was in the text. The signs of the coming "end times", cited in the Gospel of Luke, are sadly visible on many days when we look at the continued distress, fear and foreboding which people experience daily. Our response is not to look sky ward and stop our lives in anticipation of the "Son of Man coming in a cloud", but to be the Presence of the Divine here and now so that redemption may begin today.