Vigilance and Virtue

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, invite us to have faith that our efforts to live a virtuous life will prepare us to be open to love, compassion, and mercy on our journey.

Vigilant in Love

The First Reading continues the Book of Daniel Visions of defeat for the Seleucid empire.

* [7:1–27] This vision continues the motif of the four kingdoms from chap. 2; see note on 2:36–45. To the four succeeding world kingdoms, Babylonian, Median, Persian, and Greek, is opposed the heavenly kingdom of God and the kingdom of God’s people on earth. The beast imagery of this chapter has been used extensively in the Book of Revelation, where it is applied to the Roman empire, the persecutor of the Church.

* [7:18] “Holy ones” in Hebrew and Aramaic literature are nearly always members of the heavenly court or angels (cf. 4:10, 14, 20; 8:13), though here the term is commonly taken to refer to Israel.

* [7:25] The reference is to the persecution of Antiochus IV and specifically to the disruption of the Temple cult (1 Mc 1:41–64). A time, two times, and half a time: an indefinite, evil period of time. Probably here, three and a half years, which becomes the standard period of tribulation in apocalyptic literature (Rev 11:2; 13:5 [in months]; 11:3 [in days]; and cf. 12:14). As seven is the Jewish “perfect” number, half of it signifies great imperfection. Actually, the Temple was desecrated for three years (1 Mc 4:52–54). The duration of the persecution was a little longer, since it was already under way before the Temple was desecrated. (Daniel, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Daniel 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 are part of additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel.

* [3:24–90] These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures. (Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke is an Exhortation to Be Vigilant.

* [21:24] The times of the Gentiles: a period of indeterminate length separating the destruction of Jerusalem from the cosmic signs accompanying the coming of the Son of Man.

* [21:26] The powers of the heavens: the heavenly bodies mentioned in Lk 21:25 and thought of as cosmic armies. (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Elvin Cardoso, SJ, comments that the scriptures during these days turn our attention to what ultimately matters: our final destiny and the kind of life we are choosing to live.

In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks directly to this. He asks us not to drift through life unprepared, but to stay awake, to live with intention, to allow his teachings to take root in our choices. His invitation is not meant to frighten us but to awaken us. We often know what we should do to deepen our relationship with God, but we put it off, consciously or unconsciously. We tell ourselves that we are too busy or that we will get serious later. But “later” has a way of slipping through our fingers. Jesus’ words call us to live differently. He exhorts us to be vigilant and pray for strength during our trials and tribulations. (Cardoso, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Drunkenness weakens both soul and body,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"'But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare.' You heard the proclamation of the eternal King. You learned the deplorable end of 'drunkenness' or 'intoxication'. Imagine a skilled and wise physician who would say, 'Beware, no one should drink too much from this or that herb. If he does, he will suddenly be destroyed.' I do not doubt that everyone would keep the prescriptions of the physician's warning concerning his own health. Now the Lord, who is both the physician of souls and bodies, orders them to avoid as a deadly drink the herb 'of drunkenness' and the vice 'of intoxication' and also the care of worldly matters. I do not know if any one can say that he is not wounded, because these things consume him.

"Drunkenness is therefore destructive in all things. It is the only thing that weakens the soul together with the body. According to the apostle, it can happen that when the body 'is weak,' then the spirit is 'much stronger' (2 Corinthians 12:10), and when 'the exterior person is destroyed, the interior person is renewed' (2 Corinthians 4:16). In the illness of drunkenness, the body and the soul are destroyed at the same time. The spirit is corrupted equally with the flesh. All the members are weakened: the feet and the hands. The tongue is loosened. Darkness covers the eyes. Forgetfulness covers the mind so that one does not know himself nor does he perceive he is a person. Drunkenness of the body has that shamefulness." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 7.5-6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 21:34-36 comments that an openhearted approach to life doesn’t come easily, and it doesn’t happen overnight. But it can grow as we try to live every day in the peace of Christ and as we immerse ourselves in his presence in prayer. Staying connected to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we will gradually become more peaceful ourselves.

Try it today. Close your eyes, and take three long, deep breaths. With each inhale and exhale, slowly repeat the key verse in today’s responsorial psalm: “Bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever” (Daniel 3:82). Let his peace wash over you and calm your fears and anxieties. You belong to Christ, and he has you in the palm of his hand!

“Jesus, help me to face today with an open heart, filled with trust in you.” (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from Daniel 7 is a continuation of the vision of the Son of Man receiving power. The people were persecuted by the Seleucid empire. Even though terrible things would happen, nevertheless  the kingship of God will reign. They will win. The Gospel of Luke declares that we should be ready and not be caught unawares. Friar Jude urges that when the end comes, there is nothing left unsaid, and nothing left undone in our lives. We should live, now, as if the end is at hand.

Fr. Mike Schmitz begins with Acts 12 and the miraculous rescue of Peter from prison by an angel. Reflecting on this story, Fr. Mike helps us grapple with the mysterious reality that we are each called to say "Yes" to God’s destination for us, even when we might not know the way. Lastly, Fr. Mike delves into St. Paul's hard teachings to the Corinthians on sexuality morality and excommunication. Today's readings are Acts 12, 1 Corinthians 5-6, and Proverbs 28:1-3.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Episcopal priest Laurie Brock who invites us to reflect on our relationship with the things we use every day and how our gratitude might help us discover the sacred significance they hold.

What are the ordinary things in your daily life that you often overlook? Sitting in a quiet place in your home, office, or even outside, let your gaze wander, noticing a few items. Slowly allow your attention to rest on one. What task or chore does it help you accomplish? How does it help you in your daily life? What challenges would appear without this item?  

Turning your thoughts toward your faith, what parts of your faith are easy to overlook? Perhaps it’s a prayer you’ve said over and over or a hymn you’ve heard so many times you don’t pay attention to the words anymore. Maybe it’s a routine like seeing the candles lit before worship. How might the object you’re seeing now remind you of the value of the ordinary and routine in your faith? How does ordinariness help you experience God? How might you offer gratitude for this object? [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the help of the Spirit, at this time of year, to remind us to stop, take a breath, observe love, and proceed to our Advent anticipation of Christmas.

References

Cardoso, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 29, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-29-2025 

Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/3?82 

Daniel, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/7?15 

Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?34 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Practicing Gratitude: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 29, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/practicing-gratitude-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lest Your Hearts Be Weighed Down. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 29, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Word Among Us. (n.d.). Meditation on Luke 21:34-36. Retrieved November 29, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/29/1436986/ 

Faith and Truth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine our tendency to have “our version of the truth” to limit our exploration of the Way we are invited to follow by Jesus.

Faith and Family

The Reading from  1 Maccabees 6.1-13 relates the death of the Seleucid king, Antiochus.

a. [6:1–13] 2 Mc 1:13–17; 9:1–29; Dn 11:40–45. (1 Maccabees, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 9 states loosely connected themes: the rescue of the helpless poor from their enemies, and God’s worldwide judgment and rule over the nations.

* [Psalms 9–10] Ps 9 and Ps 10 in the Hebrew text have been transmitted as separate poems but they actually form a single acrostic poem and are so transmitted in the Greek and Latin tradition. Each verse of the two Psalms begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet (though several letters have no corresponding stanza). The Psalm states loosely connected themes: the rescue of the helpless poor from their enemies, God’s worldwide judgment and rule over the nations, the psalmist’s own concern for rescue (Ps 9:14–15). (Psalms, PSALM 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus responds to the Question About the Resurrection.

* [20:28–33] The Sadducees’ question, based on the law of levirate marriage recorded in Dt 25:5–10, ridicules the idea of the resurrection. Jesus rejects their naive understanding of the resurrection (Lk 20:35–36) and then argues on behalf of the resurrection of the dead on the basis of the written law (Lk 20:37–38) that the Sadducees accept. See also notes on Mt 22:23–33.

* [20:36] Because they are the ones who will rise: literally, “being sons of the resurrection.” (Luke, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth notes that today Jesus asks us to consider if we are asking the right questions so that our concerns align more closely with God’s.

When I picture God judging me, I hope he doesn’t nail me for all my garden variety faults. Yes, I gossiped. Yes, I lost my temper etc.

I HOPE God will be concerned with things that Ignatian spirituality asks us to focus on like whether we have tried to be men and women for and with others or tried to change the world for the good. (Wirth, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus cites Moses to affirm the resurrection,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)

"The Savior also demonstrated the great ignorance of the Sadducees by bringing forward their own leader Moses, who was clearly acquainted with the resurrection of the dead. He set God before us saying in the bush, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob' (Exodus 3:6). Of whom is he God, if, according to their argument, these have ceased to live? He is the God of the living. They certainly will rise when his almighty right hand brings them and all that are on the earth there. For people not to believe that this will happen is worthy perhaps of the ignorance of the Sadducees, but it is altogether unworthy of those who love Christ. We believe in him who says, 'I am the resurrection and the life' (John 11:25). He will raise the dead suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye, and at the last trumpet. It shall sound, the dead in Christ shall rise incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1 Corinthians 15:52). For Christ our common Savior will transfer us into incorruption, glory and to an incorruptible life."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 136) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 20:27-40 comments that the One who fills our hearts and guides our lives here on earth will not condemn us to a life of eternal boredom or reluctant celibacy. No, heaven will be the “fulfillment of the deepest human longings” in ways we don’t yet fully understand (Catechism, 1024).

It’s not exactly clear how our loved ones fit into the picture, but we can be confident that all our relationships will be perfected. We will know nothing but joy and perfect unity among all the redeemed. For now, all Jesus wants is that we trust in his promises and fix our hope on the glory to come.

“Lord, I long for the day when I will be with you forever!” (Meditation on Luke 20:27-40, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler recalls how Seleucid king Antiochus persecuted the Jews, retreats to Babylon, confesses that he is being punished and then dies. This probably is not actually biographical, but fictional, to teach that God will protect his people. Some Sadducees, who only accept the Pentateuch as the Bible, try to trap Jesus. Jesus rejects the premise of the problem of the widow. We rise like angels without exclusive love and human traps. Jesus reminds the Sadducees of Moses' encounter with “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” as proclaimed in the Pentateuch. Friar Jude notes their response to Jesus “You have answered well” as appreciating Jesus' cleverness.

Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses the ministry of the apostles and encourages us to allow God to work in our lives in the same way. He also reminds us that through Baptism, we are set free from our fallen human nature and given the freedom to live according to the spirit. Today’s readings are from Acts 5, Romans 8, and Proverbs 27:7-9.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, Introduces Pastor Molly Baskette who urges us to let go of rigid binaries in our thinking. All claims to the contrary, Jesus did not preach from a place of rigid binaries and judgments but from a place of continual becoming.

The churches I’ve served strive to follow Jesus in this “third way”: neither returning evil for evil nor caving in to it. Our God does not hate all the same people we do, nor does our God particularly want us to be rich or admired. Our faith, frail as it is sometimes, is also flexible. It is self-correcting as we have profound encounters with people who are different from us and are exposed to new experiences and ideas. If we are willing to be humble, we can continuously root out our own biases, the weeds of white supremacy that are deeply seeded into the soil of our culture, religion, and country.  

Staying in the liminal place of holy uncertainty is deeply uncomfortable. But certainty in the life of faith doesn’t serve us well. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Wisdom of the Spirit to consider what might be beyond the simple binaries that we accept and Jesus rejects.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/20?27 

Meditation on Luke 20:27-40. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 22, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/22/1433216/ 

1 Maccabees, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1maccabees/6?1 

Psalms, PSALM 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/9?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Recognising our Bias. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 22, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/recognizing-our-biases-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). All Live to Him. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 22, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Wirth, E. (2025, November 22). Daily Reflection November 22, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved November 22, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-22-2025