Monday 21 November

Thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time

Daniel 1: 1-6, 8-20, Daniel 3: 52-56, Luke 21: 1-4

An alien land

Four young Jewish men find themselves in a highly alien culture. In Genesis, ‘the land of Shinar’ is an old name for Babylon, the location of the tower of Babel, that quintessential sign of human pride. In Shinar, these young men follow the advice of Jeremiah, who told the exiles to ‘Work for the good of the country to which I have exiled you’. They also take every opportunity to give honour and service to God. As Christians, we also live in an alien culture. In this election week, do we both seek our country’s good and honour our God?