In the retail world this is Black Friday and it can be a dark day in the neighborhood for anyone who has ever worked sales today and I have done it. These gift purchases probably wont last, but as our Gospel says God’s word will last.
It is funny that this comes the day after Thanksgiving in America. In Canada their Thanksgiving was the first or second Monday in October and there are other days that each country in the world gives thanks for God’s Blessings.
The readings from Daniel today sound like someone’s bad dream but, just like the Book of Revelation, the Book of Daniel have important meaning to us today. The beasts refer to the ancient kingdoms of Babylon, Median, Persia, and Greek. The reference to the Son of Man is the prophecies of the Messiah.
There is political strife in the world, religious persecution and emotional strife in families. Daniel sounds true today as in ancient times.
Yesterday, we celebrated Thanksgiving. For my beautiful bride, Anna, and I, we had a progressive meal. We had one set of family on Wednesday and part of them had to travel on Thursday and another set of family and old friends on Thursday. Two of the grandchildren, who are 11 and 13 are well behaved and polite but way too noisy. The children and I went to an elderly lady’s house to rake leaves so that person who was recovering from surgery could get out of her house without slipping. I get tired just watching their energy and enthusiasm.
Then, there were the ruffled feathers of emotions. No Blood! Everything came together in the end.
In our gospel reading today, Jesus says, ” Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.”
We as a people of faith have much to be thankful. Freedom of worship that some Christians in this world are struggling to keep. We are fortunate and blest to have a gift that will not pass away.
As we shop or go about our Thanksgiving weekend with family, please remember how blest we are. Pray for those less fortunate and “Give glory and eternal praise to Him”.
God Bless you always
Bob Burford
