Sunday, November 17, 2024
Dn 12:1-3 | Heb 10:11-14, 18 | Mk 13:24-32
The first reading from Daniel reminds me of one of the most impactful mission experiences of my life from my time living and working in Kenya. Our team of Maryknoll Sisters focused on building bridges across deep divides within communities, among individuals, and within families torn apart by violent conflicts. Mothers lost children, children lost parents, and husbands and wives were separated by death or imprisonment. Villages were burned, and whatever belongings people had accumulated over a lifetime were either taken or destroyed. In such a context, hope seemed almost impossible.
During this chaos, much like in the reading from Daniel, there was a remarkable story of how one village was saved by the intervention of a greater spirit of guardianship. In the instability, courageous individuals stepped forward seeking justice, leading to conversations on the opposing side that fostered understanding, compassion, and ultimately forgiveness. We witnessed the miracle of reconciliation, initiated by village leaders from opposing sides.
In the turbulence of events, people relied on their beliefs and inner strength to guide them out of chaos. These beliefs and actions fostered an inner transformation of the heart, enabling reconciliation. Saint Paul speaks of forgiveness, an internal transformation that can lead, individuals and communities beyond external rituals in rebuilding the bonds of broken relationships. Jesus modeled this way of compassion and forgiveness until his death on the cross.
Jesus assured us that God’s glory will shine through the tribulations. The events in Kenya after a devastating conflict illustrate this reality: when people of faith come together seeking a way forward to rebuild the fabric of the community, they create opportunities to see something of themselves in the “other” that fosters compassion and leads to the forgiveness of even the gravest sins. The first reading emphasizes wisdom is needed in distress to lead people into God’s justice. Saint Paul provides encouragement with the reminder that we already possess the saving gift of Christ’s self-offering, strengthening us as we seek to imitate the way of forgiveness. In the Gospel, Jesus fortifies our hope and encourage us into deeper faith with assurance that the Light of God will be revealed in moments of despair, and God will gather all of God’s elect, God’s creation, into God’s saving embrace.
Maryknoll Sister Giang Nguyen, born in Vietnam, came to the United States with her family at 8 years of age. Trained in aeronautics and space administration, she worked as an engineer before joining the Maryknoll Sisters in 1996. During her first assignment, to Taiwan, she ministered to HIV-positive and other vulnerable people. Since 2006, Sister Nguyen has served as part of the Maryknoll Sisters’ Peace Team for Africa based in Kenya.
To read other Scripture reflections published by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, click here.
Featured Image: Maryknoll Sisters Giang Nguyen, Sia Temu and Teresa Hougnon, members of the Peace Team for Africa, based in Kenya, began their work together in 2006. Sister Hougnon has since been elected to the Sisters’ Congregational Leadership Team. (Sean Sprague/Kenya)
