DEVOTIONAL MONDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2015

Reading the Liturgy Monday, November 23, 2015
PF ST. Columban, Abbas
PF S. Clement I, Pope and Martyr

Reading 1: Dan 1: 1-6.8-20
In the third year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, to Jerusalem, and besieged it. God gave Jehoiakim king of Judah, and some of the utensils in the house of God into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar present all the land of Shinar, to the house of his gods and utensils that inclusion
in the treasury of his god. Then Nebuchadnezzar decreed to Ashpenaz, chief of his court, to bring some of the young people of Israel,
originating from the royal family or of the nobility. The boys should not blemish, well boned, understand the various wisdom, knowledgeable, and had understanding of science. In a word should be those capable to work in the royal palace. They should be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them
food rations every day of the king's meat and drink rations of ordinary wine drunk king. They should be educated for three years, and after that they have to work on the king. Among them there are also some people of Judah,
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. But Daniel was determined not to defile himself with the king's meat and drink the wine which king.
So he asked the court officials, so that she does not have defiled. So God blessed Daniel mercy and compassion of the court officials, but he said, "Food and drinks have been set by the king himself. I fear, lest my lord the king found you look less healthy than the other young men
the same age as you. Later I was the one who was blamed by the king, because of you. Daniel then said to the warden, who has been appointed by the court officials to supervise Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,
"Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given vegetables as food and water as a beverage.
After that compare our appearance with the stature youths who eat of the king's meat. Then treat your servants
in accordance with the opinion. "Daniel's request is granted. Then they held a trial with them for ten days. After the ten days, it turns out better their stature, and they look fatter than the other young men who had eaten of the king's meat. It follows
the warden put aside food and drink provided for them and gave them vegetables. To the four young men
God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, while Daniel had understanding of the various visions and dreams. When the time appointed by the king,
they should be brought in, then brought them by the court officials that came to King Nebuchadnezzar. King talked with them all. Among those not found to be equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Work then they were on the king.
In every issue that requires wisdom and understanding, and asked the king to them, it turns out they are ten times more intelligent
than all the magicians and astrologers throughout all his kingdom.
Thus saith the Lord.

Psalm: T.Dan 3: 52-56
* Blessed are you, Lord, God of our fathers. U: To thy praise for all ages.
* Blessed be the name of your glorious and holy. U: To thy praise for all ages.
* Blessed art thou in the temple of your glorious and holy. U: To thy praise for all ages.
* Blessed art thou on the throne of your kingdom. U: To thy praise for all ages.
* Blessed art thou who mendugai depths. U: To thy praise for all ages.
* Blessed art thou in the sky. U: To thy praise for all ages.

Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew 24: 42a.44
Keep watch and be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Gospel: Luke 21: 1-4
In the temple, when he looked up, Jesus saw the rich people put their offerings into the treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins into the treasury.
Then Jesus said, "I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all the people. For they all gave gifts of their abundance, but this widow gives of its shortcomings,
he even gave the whole livelihoods. "
Thus the Gospel of the Lord.

Afterthought
Giving is a sign of love, a beautiful but demanding sacrifice. There is pain in it, because it gives meaning something of its release. The more valuable that we release, the more weight it feels to give. No wonder Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that love means to give until it hurt. When people are willing to give, even though it hurt, but do it with sincerity, there is no love in it.
In today's Gospel, Jesus praises the poor widow offerings. Although the widow only offered money two small copper coins, but he gave of its shortcomings, Behind the hidden offering great sacrifice, he offered money mean a lot to her, people others may give offerings are much bigger than himself. Nevertheless they give advantages. The offerings that do not interfere with their lives.

Item reflection
This poor widow offerings awaken us, often we claim to love God, Dare we present something precious to Him? In the midst of, would we give time to prayer and join in the ministry? Are we willing to dedicate the majority of our income to support the mission of the Church? Love does not stop with mere words. Like a tree, love becomes full when fruitful. Fruitful means sharing a blessing for others, especially the needy, the sick and indeed very beautiful.

Prayer
O Lord, teach us to prove our love Thee through genuine self offerings for the development of the kingdom of Your love in this world. Amen.