Hold your head up

Both of today’s readings feature scenes of great terror and great courage.

In today’s first reading (Daniel 6:12-28) we have the very familiar incident of Daniel in the Lions’ Den: a scene that is so familiar, depicted so often in coloring books and school plays, that we may have lost the terror of the situation into which Daniel was literally thrown, as he is thrown down into a pit, right in the middle of a group of animals that can weigh as much as 500 pounds (if not more), run as fast as 40 miles an hour, and whose large teeth and powerful jaws are perfectly suited for the shredding and tearing of living flesh.

Instead of cowering or rolling up into a fetal position, Daniel holds his head up and trusts in the Lord.

In today’s Gospel (Luke 21:20-28), our Lord continues his warnings about the terrifying days yet to come.

People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.

May the Lord Jesus give us the grace to be faithful to him and to hold our heads up – confident in the love and power of God – no matter what.