Friday, November 22, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Feast of St. Cecilia. 

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59; Psalm 1 Chronicles 29:10-12; Gospel : Luke 19:45-48. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  ‘All the people fell on their faces and worshipped’ (1 Maccabees 4:55)

Victory is often the reason for great rejoicing and celebration. We know the joy when a goal is scored or a wicket falls or a century is achieved or an Oscar is won. Each person reacts differently.

In today’s First Reading we see how military victory was celebrated by Judas and his brothers. They decided to cleanse and dedicate the Lord’s sanctuary.  They rose and offered sacrifice. All fell on their faces and blessed God ‘who had prospered them’ (1 Maccabees 4:55).

We have experienced the victory of God in our lives so many times: good results, pay hikes, problems solved, impossible situations resolved. We may react in different ways. We can be boastful or we can glorify God and acknowledge His hand in it, and praise His greatness, His mercy and His love. Can we also use the opportunity to cleanse (today’s Gospel) and dedicate ourselves – temples of the Holy Spirit – more fully to God through the sacrament of reconciliation?

On Good Friday, the priests prostrate themselves before the altar. Muslims do it daily in their prayers. Is it time to reflect? Do we worship God and acknowledge His power? Do we attribute our prosperity to Him? When was the last time we fell on our faces (or even our knees) to worship Him for His blessings in our lives?

Fruit:  Can I today just praise and thank God giving me the gift of Life?