Health Hope and Humility

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the desire for people to interpret the signs of triumph or tragedy.

Hope in Truth with Humility

The Reading from the Book of Daniel is an interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream.

* [2:36–45] The four successive kingdoms in this apocalyptic perspective are the Babylonian (gold), the Median (silver), the Persian (bronze), and the Hellenistic (iron). The last, after Alexander’s death, was divided among his generals (vv. 41–42). Of the kingdoms which emerged from this partitioning, the two that most affected the Jews were the dynasties of the Ptolemies in Egypt and the Seleucids in Syria. They tried in vain, by war and through intermarriage, to restore the unity of Alexander’s empire (v. 43). The stone hewn from the mountain is the kingdom of God awaited by the Jews (vv. 44–45). Compare the image of the stone applied to Jesus in Luke 20:17–18. (Daniel, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Daniel 3 presents some 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 presents Signs of the End.

* [21:5–36] Jesus’ eschatological discourse in Luke is inspired by Mk 13 but Luke has made some significant alterations to the words of Jesus found there. Luke maintains, though in a modified form, the belief in the early expectation of the end of the age (see Lk 21:27, 28, 31, 32, 36), but, by focusing attention throughout the gospel on the importance of the day-to-day following of Jesus and by reinterpreting the meaning of some of the signs of the end from Mk 13 he has come to terms with what seemed to the early Christian community to be a delay of the parousia. Mark, for example, described the desecration of the Jerusalem temple by the Romans (Mk 13:14) as the apocalyptic symbol (see Dn 9:27; 12:11) accompanying the end of the age and the coming of the Son of Man. Luke (Lk 21:20–24), however, removes the apocalyptic setting and separates the historical destruction of Jerusalem from the signs of the coming of the Son of Man by a period that he refers to as “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk 21:24). See also notes on Mt 24:1–36 and Mk 13:1–37. (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Hopp comments that In Luke’s Gospel today, Jesus reinforces what we saw through Daniel. He provides further details of what we can expect. The temple will be completely destroyed, wars and insurrections will occur and powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues will be present throughout the world. Worst of all, many false prophets will come to deceive. Jesus warns us not to follow them!

While all of these facts sound dreadful, upon reflection, they provide incredible hope. We know that our Lord and Savior is indeed in total control. We do not need to be anxious or to live in fear. No matter what we face in this life and no matter how hopeless the world looks, Jesus is with us and has promised us an eternal life with Him in heaven. A life with no more pain, sorrow, or suffering.

Dear Heavenly Father, you truly are a God so much more than anything we could ever imagine. Help us to never forget that our lives are in your hands and that we can confidently rest in your love. You have known each of us from the beginning of time and have a specific plan for each of our lives. That truth is so amazing. We are so thankful beyond words. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen (Hopp, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “First signs of the end times,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD).

"Perhaps you are anxious, brothers and sisters, at the fact that we hear constantly of the tumult of wars and the onsets of battles. Perhaps your love is still more anxious since these are taking place in our times. The reason is the closer we are to the destruction of the world, the closer we are to the kingdom of the Savior. The Lord himself says, 'In the last days nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. When you see wars, earthquakes and famines, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.'This nearness of wars shows us that Christ is near." (excerpt from SERMON 85.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 21:5-11 comments that like those early Christians, we may be struggling to trust God in troubling times or to understand a tragedy. It could be a personal loss or something upsetting on the news. But in every situation, in the face of every worry, Jesus wants to remind us: Don’t be afraid. I will never leave you or abandon you. You may experience pain and hardship, you may hear frightening news, but you don’t have to let it overwhelm you. I am with you, and I am still working!

So cry out to Jesus for whatever comfort and strength you may need today. Fix your eyes on God’s faithfulness. Believe that he still has you in the palm of his hand. Trust that he is already at work to bring good out of evil. Put your hope in the Lord, and “Do not be terrified” (Luke 21:9).

“Jesus, all my hope is in you!” (Meditation on Luke 21:5-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Daniel 2 continues the idea of what occurs in exile in Babylon as a man who interprets dreams and he explains it in terms of history and  the sequence of empires. The stone unhewn will crumble the statue. The stone in the Temple was never to have been touched by iron. The holy people will make the empire unstable. Jesus is cagey about the destruction of the Temple. He warns people to be careful even as every economic or political revolution calls to predict the end. Friar Jude reminds us to be aware of our own end time and the possibility of it being unpredictable.

Fr. Mike Schmitz focuses on the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch and how it demonstrates the importance of having guidance when reading Scripture. Although God's Word is infallible, we can easily misunderstand it without proper interpretation, which is why we have the Magisterium of the Church. Lastly, Fr. Mike also touches on the role of persecution in the life of the Church, and St. Paul's encouragement to abide by the law of love. Today we read Acts 8, Romans 13-14, and Proverbs 27:15-17.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Brian McLaren who highlights how gratefulness is a recurring theme in the Gospels. With these counterintuitive sayings and others like them, Jesus enrolls us in advanced classes in the school of gratitude. He shows us the disadvantages of advantages, and the advantages of disadvantages. He will make this paradox most dramatic through his own death; his suffering and crucifixion will eventually bring hope and freedom to all humanity, hope and freedom that could come no other way. Here is the deepest lesson of gratitude, then. We are to be grateful not just in the good times, but also in the bad times; to be grateful not just in plenty, but also in need; to maintain thankfulness not just in laughter, but also through tears and sorrow.

One of Jesus’s followers says that we should even rejoice in trials, because through trials come patience, character, wisdom (James 1:2–3). And another says, “I have learned to be content with whatever I have” (Philippians 4:11), so he can instruct, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 

The words “in all circumstances” shouldn’t be confused with “for all circumstances,” of course. But neither should they be thinned to mean “in easy circumstances.” Even in pain, we can find a place of gratitude, a place where alongside the agony of loss we still count and appreciate what remains…. 

You may lose a loved one, or facet after facet of your physical health, but you can still be grateful for what you have left. And what if you lose more, and more, and more, if bad goes to worse? Perhaps at some point, all of us are reduced to despair, but my hunch is—and I hope I never need to prove this in my own life, but I may, any of us may—having lost everything, one may still be able to hold on to one’s attitude, one’s practiced habit of gratitude, of turning to God in Job-like agony and saying, “For this breath, thanks. For this tear, thanks. For this memory of something I used to enjoy but now have lost, thanks. For this ability not simply to rage over what has been taken, but to celebrate what was once given, thanks.” (McLaren, n.d.)

Perhaps we have experienced situations where our ability to “read the signs” has improved a potentially troublesome event but, for the most part, hope and humility and Spirit are key to the resolution of life events.

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/2?31 

Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/3?57 

Hopp, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. On line ministries. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-25-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?5 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). In All Circumstances. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ 

Meditation on Luke 21:5-11. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/25/1434854/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Take Heed That You Are Not Led Astray. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Faith and Direction

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to act in response to the guidance and healing we experience in our relationship with the Divine.

Spiritual Direction

The reading from the Book of Genesis proclaims Jacob’s Dream at Bethel.

* [28:10–22] As Jacob is leaving the land on his way to an uncertain future in Paddan-aram, God appears to him at a sacred place that Jacob had visited only to take a night’s rest. Jacob’s unawareness of the holiness of the place underscores the graciousness of the gift. On his return to Canaan, he will again encounter a divine visitor in the form of the mysterious attacker (32:23–33) and, after his return and reconciliation with Esau, he will again go to Bethel (35:1–15).

* [28:11] Place: the Hebrew word is often used specifically of a sacred site. The ambiguous word “place” is used here, for the text emphasizes that Jacob has no idea the place he has come upon is sacred; only when he wakes up does he realize it is sacred. The place was Bethel (v. 19), a sacred site as early as the time of Abraham (12:8).

* [28:12] Stairway: in Hebrew, sullam, traditionally but inaccurately translated as “ladder.” The corresponding verb, salal, means “to heap up” something, such as dirt for a highway or a ramp. The imagery in Jacob’s dream may be derived from the Babylonian ziggurat or temple tower, “with its top in the sky” (11:4), and with brick steps leading up to a small temple at the top.

* [28:18] Sacred pillar: in Hebrew, masseba, a stone which might vary in shape and size, set upright and usually intended for some religious purpose. The custom of erecting such sacred pillars in Palestine went back to its pre-Israelite period; but since their polytheistic associations were often retained, later Israelite religion forbade their erection (Lv 26:1; Dt 16:22) and ordered the destruction of those that were associated with other religions (Ex 34:13; Dt 12:3).

* [28:19] Bethel: i.e., “house of God”; the reference is to the house of God in v. 17.

* [28:20] This vow: knowing well that Esau’s murderous wrath stands between him and the possession of the land promised him, Jacob makes his vow very precise. He vows to make the God who appeared to him his own if the God guides him safely to Paddan-aram and back to this land. (Genesis, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 91 is a prayer of someone who has taken refuge in the Lord.

* [Psalm 91] A prayer of someone who has taken refuge in the Lord, possibly within the Temple (Ps 91:1–2). The psalmist is confident that God’s presence will protect the people in every dangerous situation (Ps 91:3–13). The final verses are an oracle of salvation promising salvation to those who trust in God (Ps 91:14–16) (Psalms, PSALM 91 | USCCB, n.d.)

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In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus heals the Official’s Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage

* [9:18–34] In this third group of miracles, the first (Mt 9:18–26) is clearly dependent on Mark (Mk 5:21–43). Though it tells of two miracles, the cure of the woman had already been included within the story of the raising of the official’s daughter, so that the two were probably regarded as a single unit. The other miracles seem to have been derived from Mark and Q, respectively, though there Matthew’s own editing is much more evident.

* [9:18] Official: literally, “ruler.” Mark calls him “one of the synagogue officials” (Mk 5:22). My daughter has just died: Matthew heightens the Marcan “my daughter is at the point of death” (Mk 5:23).

* [9:20] Tassel: possibly “fringe.” The Mosaic law prescribed that tassels be worn on the corners of one’s garment as a reminder to keep the commandments (see Nm 15:37–39; Dt 22:12).

* [9:24] Sleeping: sleep is a biblical metaphor for death (see Ps 87:6 LXX; Dn 12:2; 1 Thes 5:10). Jesus’ statement is not a denial of the child’s real death, but an assurance that she will be roused from her sleep of death. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Bar­bara Dilly comments that psy­chol­o­gists say dreams are just a process of the mind sort­ing things out and the dom­i­nant mes­sages in our dreams are just affir­ma­tions of our deep­est thoughts. That sci­en­tif­ic under­stand­ing does not need to con­flict with our faith.

I believe that if we, per­sons of faith, place our trust in God, we can sense times, wak­ing and sleep­ing, when God acknowl­edges our dis­tress and pro­vides pro­tec­tion and guid­ance in our deci­sion mak­ing and actions. That is because the minds of peo­ple of faith are ori­ent­ed toward trust in God. And we can trust that like Jacob, God says also to us, “know that I am with you; I will pro­tect you wher­ev­er you go.”  In addi­tion to pray­ing for guid­ance and clar­i­ty, try pray­ing “In you, my God, I place my trust,” each night before sleep. I pray it pro­duces pleas­ant dreams. (Dilly, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Daughter, your faith has made you well,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"So what did Messiah do? He did not let her go unnoticed but led her into the center of attention and made her visible. He had many reasons for doing this. Some might imagine that 'he did this merely for love of glory - otherwise why would he not allow her to remain concealed?' But what are they proposing who might say this? That he should keep her silent, that he should ignore her need, and thereby pass up miracles too numerous to mention, all because he is in love with glory? What an unholy thought, inspired by the most unholy one of all."

"What then is his intention in bringing her forward? First, Jesus puts an end to her fear. He does not want her to remain trapped in dread. He gives no cause for her conscience to be harmed, as if she had stolen the gift. Second, he corrects her assumption that she has no right to be seen. Third, he makes her faith an exhibit to all. He encourages the others to emulate her faith. Fourth, his subduing the fountains of her hemorrhage was another sign of his knowledge of all things. And finally, do you remember the ruler of the synagogue? He was at the point of despair, of utter ruin. Jesus is indirectly admonishing him by what he says to the woman." (excerpt from the THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 31.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Jacob had to flee to the original homeland because of stealing Esau’ blessing. Experience of a dream in a shrine was very common. Jacob sees a ladder to heaven with angels and calls the place Bethel. “If God takes care” in a bargain is typical of Jacob. “Take care of me and You will be my God” The healing of the daughter of Jarius and the hemorrhage is shorter and different from Mark’s account. The expression “Your faith has “saved” you” indicates being healed both spiritually and physically. In Matthew, Jesus  knows who touched him to emphasize His spiritual power. Jesus is ridiculed by the flute players and paid mourners who make the funeral fit the stature of the bereaved. Friar Jude comments on  two types of miracles, healing and reanimation. 

Dr. Barbara Holmes (1943–2024) shares her own personal “Jonah story”: 

As I was standing at my law school graduation ceremony, I heard a voice say to me, “This isn’t it.” I was startled, and I said to my girlfriend who was standing in line with me to get our degrees, “I just heard a voice say, ‘This is not it.’”... Trust God, trust the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. Make your intention clear that you will follow as called, without exception. Make your intention known to God and wait for the Holy Spirit to lead you into the fulfillment of your vocation. [2]  (Holmes, n.d.)

We ponder how our vocation relates to the vision we receive from the Spirit to make the love and compassion of Christ visible in the world.

References

Dilly, B. (n.d.). Dai­ly Reflec­tion. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-7-2025 

Genesis, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/28?10 

Holmes, B. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/have-we-listened-to-gods-call/ 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?18 

Psalms, PSALM 91 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/91?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Take Heart, Your Faith Has Made You Well. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jul7