The Time of Man: His Reign

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday of 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, November 25th, 2021
Texts: Daniel 6:11-27; Ps. Daniel 3 :46-52; Luke 21:20-28
Today's Readings remind us of the time of man; man will surely reign. In his time, man will try hard to suppress the kingdom of God. It will be hard times for God's children. In today's  gospel reading, Jesus says, "For great distress shall be upon the earth and wrath upon this people; they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." Jesus used the time of the Gentiles to emphasize the reign that does not acknowledge God. It is the reign of man that does not honour God.
We are already witnessing the reign of man as decadence is on the increase in our time. People are more inclined to follow the world rather than God. We choose more readily now worldly way rather than godly way. Godly way seems to be archaic and old fashion in our own time. This is evident in the kind of quality we prefer. Many boys are happier being called bad guys instead of being called good boys or gentle boys. Many girls are happier being called sexy instead of being called decent girls. We accept more readily what the world throws at us than what God says. We live more readily now according to the dictates of the world than that of God.
Today's first reading relates the failure of man in bringing down the kingdom of God. The reading shows that  God always secure His kingdom. Though the reign of man seems to be evident, the kingdom of God is like a germ which continues to develop into fullness with the collapse of human kingdom.  In the first reading, we see the conspiracy of man to bring down the kingdom of God in the person of Daniel. Man planned his evil successfully but without fruition because God used it to show His almighty power, His control over the universe. Hence, it is said, Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring for ever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” The evil of man will pave the way for the triumph of God's kingdom. Man will reap the fruits of his evil and at the end God's kingdom will be fulfilled.

Lord our God, grant us the grace to always live for You and not to be daunted by the challenges of our time. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke