First Reading - Daniel 7:15-27
Gospel - Luke 21:34-36
In the first reading, Daniel is troubled by the visions he has seen. The images are intense—kingdoms rising and falling, forces of chaos challenging what is holy. It is not surprising that Daniel feels anxious. But the message he receives is one of reassurance: despite the turmoil, the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and God’s reign will never be destroyed. The forces that disturb us do not have the final word. God does.
This is the heart of Daniel’s consolation: the world may trouble us, but God anchors us. Evil may seem loud, but it does not win. The people who stay faithful, even when the world is confusing or frightening, will share in a kingdom that is everlasting.
Jesus takes this message and applies it directly to the everyday struggles of the heart. He warns His disciples:
“Be careful that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing, drunkenness, or the anxieties of daily life.”
Jesus knows that dangers come not only from outside crises but from internal drifting—from hearts that slowly grow numb, distracted, absorbed by the pressures and concerns of life.
Then He tells them to be vigilant and to pray for the strength to stand firm when trials come. Not to panic, not to hide, not to escape—but to stay awake spiritually, to stay rooted in God, to stay connected through prayer.
Daniel’s vision shows us the big picture: God’s kingdom endures.
Jesus shows us the daily practice: remain awake, steady, and prayerful.
Dear friends, spiritual clarity doesn’t come from avoiding difficulties; it comes from staying connected to God in the midst of them. Life’s burdens don’t mean we are far from God—they are often the very places where He invites us to rely on Him more deeply.
And this message speaks directly to our reality.
How often do we feel weighed down by responsibilities?
How often do we feel spiritually drained or distracted?
How often do anxiety and fatigue dull our sense of God’s presence?
Jesus understands that the greatest threat to our spiritual health is not always dramatic sin—it can simply be a weary heart that stops paying attention. And Daniel shows us that even in the face of overwhelming forces, God’s victory is already assured.
So today, we are invited to stay awake—not in fear, but in hope.
To guard our hearts—not with suspicion, but with trust.
To pray—not out of panic, but out of relationship.
And most of all, to remember that no matter how overwhelming life feels, the kingdom we belong to is eternal. The God who holds the future also holds us.
May we remain faithful, attentive, and anchored in Him, confident that His reign—and His love—endures forever.
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