With heads held high!

WORD 2day: Thursday, last week in Ordinary time

November 25, 2021: Daniel 6: 12-28; Luke 21: 20-28

Let me begin with a personal note today! Within the circle of our friends, if some one said the words, 'look upon high', it would draw a roaring laughter instantaneously! It is because of a veteran trainer whom we know who would give a famous 'thought-for-the-day'. He would have his ages old notes in his hands and look into it and read the thought for us. There was a funny moment always when he would say 'look upon high' and immediately look down into his notes for the next part! The readings today reminded me of those days from our student life.

Living with heads held high, is a deep imagery offered to us today. Some names like Oscar Romero, Mother Teresa, Sr. Rani Maria, Mrs Gladys Staines or the recent addition of Fr. Stan Swami...these are well known to us not for the great power they wielded or prominent posts they held, but for the endurance they had! The threats and violence and opposition that surrounded them never managed to swallow them in. Because they lived with their heads held high. 

Daniel in the first reading today and Jesus himself from the Gospel, are offered as Biblical models for living with heads held high...never losing sight of that source, from where our help comes. Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth - those are familiar lines for us. Let it not remain a mere phrase, but a real conviction that come what may, I can stand tall, stand tall with my head held high. Because I do not depend on this world or even the best of my well wishers that I find here on earth! They are my sources of sustenance, in as much as the One who us ultimately concerned about me, has ordained this persons, circumstances and systems to be of assistance to me! 

Yes, my help comes from the Lord, and from the Lord alone! Hence, even in the worst of my situations, I can never lose hope! Amidst all the struggles of our daily life, we can live with our heads held high!