We often define historical kingdoms as vast amounts of geography ruled by a person who makes decisions based on a perception of truth supportive of what he or she wants and/or needs. This can be either a positive or a negative experience, depending on the benevolent or dictatorial state of mind of the ruler. Today, most royalty are figureheads who represent political leaders who rule kingdoms for better or worse.
“You are my inheritance, O Lord!” is our Psalm 16 refrain today. It seems an apt response also to how we are to assess the end times as portrayed in our first reading from The Book of Daniel and in St. Mark’s Gospel. Despite the doom and gloom shared in these liturgical readings, the responsorial psalm offers a positive sense of hope as we trust in God who has always been with us no matter what the difficulties may be.
Giving is a main stay in our faith. We know this because the greatest gift ever given comes from Jesus, the Son of God, who died on a cross for our sins so we could be forgiven and was resurrected from the dead so we could have everlasting life. No sacrifice in the past or future will ever surpass the meaning of what it is to give to one another as Jesus did for us.