Remain faithful to God, and be saved

A reflection on the weekday readings, for Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

As the late Joan Rivers used to always say, “Can we talk?”

Well, let me just say, I think I would not want Daniel to be interpreting my dreams.

Yikes!

First, he gave, then he took away.

He names the great power that Nebuchadnezzar was, but then tells him how he was to lose it all.

He gave good news, and then the worst news.

Although I am giving a “spoiler alert,” the clincher of it all is in Verse 46 of this same chapter.

And let it be noted we do not get to see it, because this passage ends at Verse 45.

But if we went one verse longer, we would hear Nebuchadnezzar’s response to Daniel’s interpretation.

Verse 46 continues: “Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell down and worshiped Daniel, and ordered sacrifice and incense offered to him.”

And the verse continues, “To Daniel the king said ‘Truly your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries; that is why you were able to reveal this mystery.’”

If’n I were Daniel, I would be out of town on the next train.

Lord knows you can only reveal a mystery like this one in life once, especially to the king.

Time to “get out of this business” and start baking cookies instead.

Dangerous stuff, this interpretation of dreams.

+ Jesus, too, interprets not only dreams but, certainly life.

He listens to people’s comments and reveals a deeper truth; and some of those truths will not always be welcome.

As the people comment upon the beauty and riches of the temple, “adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,” he tells them about those costly stones: that the day would come when “there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

When they asked about this utter destruction and when it would happen, he told them basically that no one knows.

It would happen, things would change, nations would rise against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms; and earthquakes, famines, floods, plagues, pandemics, awesome sights, and mighty signs from the sky, would occur.

Double yikes!

In the end, both Daniel and Jesus would agree.

Better to stay deeply in touch with our God. Better to recognize the God of all creation.

Better to open to God’s love and grace, and presence and Spirit, and at all times to walk with the Lord, the God of all creation.

Better to echo the repeating verse of the psalm today, “Give glory and eternal praise to him.”

And perhaps we would hear the resounding response of Jesus’ words in the Gospel verse or alleluia verse today, “Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Alleluia!”

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Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.