01/12/2023

St John's Apocalypse is the last book of the Bible. Today's vision of Daniel is part of the same stream of visionary writing that is inspired by God. I have always found this mystical writing difficult to understand. Jacob's wrestling with God and the visionary ladder to heaven have to be believed if they are going to inspire the awe experienced by the writer.

There have always been amongst us people who have been given moments when in a "cloud of unknowing" their souls "see through a glass darkly" the presence of God and the spiritual creation which is part of his Eternity.

God wills that they should share these dreams and visions that portray his Otherworldly Glory. They can only do so in the language of this world and so God becomes the "Ancient of Days" and everything that Daniel saw is counted and recorded in detail as in  St John's Book of Revelations.

Today's psalm is again part of the so called "Canticle of Daniel". It is a hypnotic litany of praise for the deeds of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and it keeps us firmly fixed in this world as we review the whole of creation shining with the Love of God in the material reality of this world, here and now.

In the Gospel Jesus hints at signs of the "End Times". He has also told us that "it is not for us to know the time" of his second coming. He confirms that all of creation will certainly come to an end just as we are certain to die in this world. If we can remain firm of purpose and free from sin both our deaths and the end of the world can only be happy events for us. Praise be to God!

Dear Lord, I thank you for letting me feel secure in your Love. We will soon begin the countdown to your birth. Mary and Joseph will soon be walking to Bethlehem. The son was protected for 30 years before you began to make known the Kingdom of Heaven and brought redemption to us all. Let the hearts of the killers in Palestine be opened to your Love and realise that they are still spitting into the face of Jesus. They too can be saved by their right choices. Mary pondered the ways of Heaven on Earth and in Heaven she continues her instructions to the World as to the steward of the wedding feast in Cana , "Do whatever he tells you".