26 November 2025 – Wednesday of the 34th odd week
Homily
The first reading shows us the young Daniel, a prisoner at the court of the King of Babylon, not only full of wisdom received from above, but also completely fearless. He dares to speak with strength and courage to the most powerful of the kings of the earth, reproaching him for his crimes and announcing the dismantling of his kingdom, just as John the Baptist, several centuries later, will dare to speak with courage and clarity to King Herod. These are men without fear because they have nothing to lose. We fear others and circumstances when we have illusions of power, ambitions, dreams or treasures to protect. If we are poor, in the poverty of the Beatitudes, with nothing to defend and protect and therefore nothing to lose, then we can be freed from all fear.
Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus repeatedly tells his disciples, ‘Do not be afraid.’ In the part of the great eschatological discourse that we read today, again in Luke's version, Jesus, after announcing the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, goes on to announce the difficulties, persecutions and sufferings that his disciples will have to endure.
He warns them that they will be dragged before courts and judges. They will be betrayed by their parents, brothers, families and friends. Some will be sentenced to death. However, he warns them not to worry about preparing their defense, for it is from above that they will receive, like Daniel, the words of wisdom they will need. These words of wisdom will not prevent them, in many cases, from being put to death; but even then they will be in God's hands. So fearlessness will not be enough; they will need perseverance, and this will be their salvation: "It is by your perseverance that you will obtain life. "
We do not have to face situations as dramatic as those described in this apocalyptic discourse, but we all have to face difficult situations of various kinds at certain times in our lives. Let us ask the Lord to always be stripped of all fear, and above all to be equipped with the perseverance that will lead us to eternal life.
Armand Veilleux