Memorial of Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

Daily Oratory provides Scripture references and original reflections. It does not republish full copyrighted lectionary readings.

Daily Mass Reflection

Readings: Revelation 14:14–19 • Psalm 96 • Luke 21:5–11 Memorial: Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

Sacred Silence

Place yourself before the Lord. Release the fear of everything you cannot control.

“The Lord comes to judge the earth.”

Reflection — What Remains When Everything Else Falls?

Today’s readings confront us with a truth we often avoid: everything earthly eventually passes away, but Christ remains.

In Revelation, John sees the “Son of Man” seated upon a cloud, crowned as King, coming to reap the harvest of the earth. History is not wandering aimlessly. A day of fulfillment is coming when every life will stand before God and everything hidden will be brought into His light.

Psalm 96 responds not with terror, but with rejoicing:

“The LORD is king.”

God’s judgment is good news for those who belong to Him because His judgment is perfectly just. Evil will not have the final word. Suffering will not last forever. God will set creation right.

Then Jesus stands before the magnificent Jerusalem Temple. People admire its beauty, its enormous stones, and its offerings. Yet Jesus tells them that a day will come when not one stone will remain upon another.

Imagine hearing that.

The Temple seemed permanent.

Jesus teaches us that even things which appear immovable can disappear.

Our possessions. Our accomplishments. Our reputation. Our security. Even civilizations and institutions.

None of these can carry the weight of eternity.

And when Jesus speaks of wars, upheaval, earthquakes, famines, and frightening events, His central command is striking:

“Do not be terrified.”

The disciple of Christ does not interpret every disturbance as proof that God has abandoned the world. Jesus warns against panic, deception, and false predictions. History may shake—but God’s throne does not.

The Hidden Connection: The Martyrs

Today’s memorial makes these readings especially powerful.

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc and the Vietnamese martyrs lived in a world where following Christ could cost them everything. Churches, possessions, safety, social standing—even life itself—could be taken away.

Yet something remained that persecution could not touch:

their fidelity to Christ.

That is why today’s Alleluia becomes the key to the entire liturgy:

“Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Revelation shows Christ wearing a crown.

The Alleluia promises a crown to those who remain faithful.

The martyrs show us what that fidelity looks like.

Christian courage does not mean never experiencing fear. It means deciding that Christ is worth more than whatever fear threatens to take from us.

What God May Be Asking Today

Ask yourself:

What am I treating as permanent that is actually passing away?

Perhaps security comes from money, success, health, reputation, possessions, plans, or the approval of others.

These things may be gifts, but they cannot become foundations.

Jesus invites us to build deeper.

When life becomes uncertain, His command remains:

Do not be deceived. Do not be terrified. Remain faithful.

The question is not whether everything around us will remain stable.

The deeper question is:

Will I remain faithful when it does not?

During Mass

At the Offertory, place before God something you fear losing.

At the Consecration, look upon Christ and remember: kingdoms rise and fall, but the Crucified and Risen Lord reigns forever.

At Holy Communion, ask:

“Jesus, make me faithful to You even when following You costs me something.”

The Eucharist strengthens us for precisely this kind of fidelity. The One whom the martyrs refused to abandon comes to dwell within us.

Examination

Where do I look for security apart from God?

Do frightening events lead me toward prayer or toward fear?

Would I remain faithful to Christ if discipleship became costly?

What attachment would be hardest for me to surrender?

Am I living as though eternity is real?

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, You alone are eternal.

When the things I trust begin to shake, keep my eyes fixed upon You. Guard me from deception, panic, and fear. Give me the courage of Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc and his companions, who valued fidelity to You above earthly security.

Through the Holy Eucharist, strengthen my heart so that whether life is peaceful or difficult, I may remain faithful.

And when my earthly pilgrimage is finished, receive me into Your eternal Kingdom, where every tear is wiped away and Your victory is complete.

Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.

Today’s Mission

Hold earthly things lightly. Hold Christ firmly.

The world around you may change. Your plans may change. Things you thought permanent may disappear.

But Christ remains.

Remain faithful—and do not be afraid.