25/11/2021

Daniel today demonstrates that God will not desert his people who in sincerity of heart of heart and with humility ask for his aid aganst the rulers of this world. Jesus words are a prophecy of the sacking of Jerusalem and less than 50 years after his resurrection this happened and Titus destroyed the Temple.

It is no wonder that the early Christians accepted the preaching of the Apostles and disciples. What about the Jewish priests and teachers of the scriptures? They were asked to reject all that they were and believe that what had happened on Calvary was an event planned by God. An event that had to replace Temple worship.

Jesus truly did bring division and not peace. This certainly is true of those first years long ago when there were witnesses to the resurrection still living on this earth. Each convert was faced with the imminent expectation of the return of Jesus. The Apostles knew their task and did wander from city to city in the known world first to bring the "Good News" and then to support the groups who had first believed. 

The political structures of their times were based on first Greek and then Roman power. Philosphers knew the teachings of their Greek predecessors. There was thought but wealth and power were the objects of all the states. Jesus too had recognised the power of the kings of this earth. He had divided the things of Caesar from the things of God and his first Disciples had been forced to recognise that his Kindom was not of this World by the events on Calvary. God was not Caesar but the Resurrection proved that God was ever greater. Darius learnt this but we are still learning.

Dear Lord let me remember throughout the length of this day and every day that may be left to me that you are ever greater than any human structure and that your Church on earth is your crucified but resurrected body not some human thing as it has become.