Zeal of A Knight

Stand firm, and you will win life. Luke 21: 19

During the time of this passage Jesus observes a widow giving all that she had to the Temple. Yet others sadly did not see the widow but was praising the temple for its greatness. While Jesus saw the poor widow other people were trying to bring attention to themselves by bringing extravagant gifts. Jesus said that a time would come where no one would leave any kind of offerings. The disciples were shocked and then asked when the time was coming, and how would they know the time is coming. Jesus said that they should watch out and make sure they aren't easily caught up with the greatness of the Temple and its wealth. That true belief was staying faithful to the teachings of the Commandments. He said a lot of people would come and claim that they are the good. The disciples should not be quick to follow false teachers but endure with the teachings of Christ. When they hear of upcoming wars, they shouldn't be scared because these things need to happen. There will be terrible things happening, such as earthquakes, no food, and cattle dying. None of these is the test of faith. The test is their loyalty to Jesus when life is trying. The most difficult test for the disciples would be betrayal by the ones who mattered to them, such as parents, brothers and sisters. They would hate the disciples because they hated Jesus. Jesus even said some would die, but if they stayed firm they would win life.

The Catholic Catechism in paragraph 1851 reminds us that Christ suffered betrayal:

It is precisely in the Passion, when the mercy of Christ is about to vanquish it, that sin most clearly manifests its violence and its many forms: unbelief, murderous hatred, shunning and mockery by the leaders and the people, Pilate's cowardice and the cruelty of the soldiers, Judas' betrayal - so bitter to Jesus, Peter's denial and the disciples' flight. However, at the very hour of darkness, the hour of the prince of this world, the sacrifice of Christ secretly becomes the source from which the forgiveness of our sins will pour forth inexhaustibly.

We are called to forgive others and continue zealously to do God’s will.  We are called to build his kingdom.

This passage relates to the Hoban core value of zeal because in the passage Jesus is telling us to continue to worship and be ready for the end. Jesus also tells us to stay strong in our faith because then we will win life. Zeal is the passion to finish what Jesus started and to do what he told us to do. In our daily lives at school we portray the value of zeal through our actions. To live the value of zeal we can help others by giving through opportunities such as  the canned food drive or Project Hope. We can also offer help to those struggling in school or other activities. Through our every action we have the ability to show zeal and to be Christ-like and it is up to us to make sure that we live everyday for God to the best of our ability.


All people of the earth, each and every nation
Arise and rejoice at the continued creation
Of beauty, of springtime.
Who despite our apparent lack of care
Creates bountiful splendor for all to share
From mountain tops to the deepest sea
All wonderful earthly miracles bursting free!
Yet this miracle of renewal requires the helping hand
Of the people to replenish and renew the land
From the largest of cities to the most remote farms
To unite in spirit and with the strongest arms.
Become a guardian of our resources hour by hour
We must learn to take time to appreciate
The miracles of which we did not create.
For God has given this wonderful treasure
And its preservation will be the measure
Of people who recognize and will celebrate
The birth of each season before it's too late.
In citizenship, in willingness to toil
We must bend our backs and tend to the soil
In stewardship, arise and applaud the worth
Of the wondrous marvel of our Living Earth!
Consider creation. . . . Consider it now.


Source: service from August 1992, "Coming to See"