Homily: November 27, 2023, Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time (Fear of the Lord)

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 “In any question of wisdom or prudence that the king posed to them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.”

One of my favorite books in the Old Testament is the book of Daniel. The stories of Daniel and his friends inspire me a lot. I enjoy reading how God was always with them and blessed them with great wisdom and a unique gift in interpreting visions and dreams.

In today’s first reading, we see how King Nebuchadnezzar tested and then invited these three young men, Daniel and his two friends, to serve him. It was an honor and seen as a great fortune to be trusted by the King, to eat and converse with him while all other Israelites were living as slaves.

But Daniel and his friends did not once forget the God of their ancestors. Even though they had privileges from the King, they did not disobey God’s laws. They feared the Lord in all their days, they loved God in all their ways. And for that, they had great wisdom and understanding. And for those, the King recognized their value and respected their advice.

Honestly, I want to be like them. I wish I could have the same wisdom and the ability to understand greater things.

The Book of Proverbs 9:10 says, 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.'

This verse was prominently placed at the entrance to the library at the seminary where I did my Philosophy studies. It is a powerful invitation to all seminarians to gain wisdom and understanding through knowing and loving God. It is an invitation to all of us, to fear God, that is to love and respect Him with all our heart, all our mind and all our soul.

Let us not forget this most important commandment. Whatever our standing or status is in life, let us not be blinded nor ever forget it is our God, who created us, loved us, and called us to this beautiful life. It is through Him that we can gain anything worthy in our life. Our God is our life. To Him be all honor, glory and praise. Amen.


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