God was with the Israelites even during the Babylonian exile!

November 24, 2025 Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Andrew Dŭng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs 
Daily Readings: Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20; Luke 21:1-4

The first reading from the Book of Daniel finds the people of Israel in exilic life in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar not only besieged and desecrated the city but also brought holy vessels and abused them. He wanted to train four young Jewish men with royal training and food. They are to serve royal palace. They are supposed to be without any physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in king’s palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. Thus Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah from the tribe of Judah landed in the palace. All of them made sure that they didn’t defile themselves of royal rations of food and yet by God’s grace they were found fit in all aspects compared to young men who consumed royal food. God also had endowed them with deep insight into all visions and dreams. The king found Jewish young men ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. The entire episode convinces that although the people of Israel were in alien land, God was with them. God’s presence was always there!

Jesus is in the temple of Jerusalem. He is seated in the place where dumb boxes were kept for the donors to make their offerings. Many rich people certainly made huge donations but what caught the attention of Jesus is the offering of a poor widow. She put in just two small copper coins. This was all that she had. This was her great sacrifice. It was an act of relying on the providence of God. She teaches us that no gift is too great and no gift is too small. What makes a donation great or small is the attitude and the context in which one makes the offering. This is her way of devotion and worship.

Call to Action: The widow’s offering reminded Jesus of his own sacrificial death scheduled to take place shortly. Unless and until I learn to sacrifice something, I will never be able to appreciate the sacrifice of others.