The End of Worldly Kingdom

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Friday of 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, November 26th, 2021
Texts: Daniel 7:2-14; Ps. Daniel 3:53-59; Luke 21:29-33
Today's first reading reminds us of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in which he saw an image with its body segmented into gold, silver, bronze and Iron. Daniel interpreted it to mean four rules. In today's first reading we are told of the rules of four beasts: the first is of the likeness of lion having early the feature of eagle and latter human posture. The second is bear with command to  eat flesh. The third is leopard with four heads and likeness of a bird. The fourth is a beast with iron teeth and many horns. This prophecy predated the birth of Jesus Christ. It is already fulfilled in Him; He was the Son of man whose kingdom survived that of the beasts. It is said, "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
The Christ's kingdom will remain forever. This encourages us once again to stand with Him if we want to live forever in joy; it is our participation in His kingdom that earns us eternal life and joy forever. The kingdom will endure forever because it is the kingdom of truth, life and love. The triumph of the kingdom of Christ is an affirmation that good will always triumph over evil, truth will always triumph falsehood and lie, life will always triumph over death, love will always triumph our hatred.
The reading also tells us that the lives of three of the beasts are prolonged for a season. This means that evil still lives on until the end of time. Evil will definitely come to an end. Jesus Christ reminds us in today's gospel reading that the kingdom of God will definitely triumph over human kingdom. He tells us that the kingdom of God will be occasioned by strange events. The more the perversion of humanity is on the increase the nearer the kingdom of God. The more evil is on the increase the closer the kingdom of God. Then we should not allow the increase in perversion and evil startle us or weighs us down. When we see perversion and evil on the increase we should not complain but persevere till the end, for our salvation is nearer. Jesus Christ gives us the reason to persevere and be joyful in the midst of evil, for it means our salvation is close at hand. Our attention should not be on the evil but the salvation that is breaking forth. We should not think of the evil but our vindication that is nearer.

Lord our God, we thank You for Your help so far, grant us the grace to persevere till the end, that we may not lose faith in and out of season. Amen

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke