Daily Readings - Sat Dec 02 2023
Daniel
15My spirit was terrified. I, Daniel, was fearful at these things, and the visions of my head disturbed me16I approached one of the attendants and asked the truth from him about all these things. He told me the interpretation of the words, and he instructed me17"These four great beasts are four kingdoms, which will rise from the earth18Yet it is the saints of the Most High God who will receive the kingdom, and they will hold the kingdom from this generation, and forever and ever.19After this, I wanted to learn diligently about the fourth beast, which was very different from all, and exceedingly terrible; his teeth and claws were of iron; he devoured and crushed, and the remainder he trampled with his feet20and about the ten horns, which he had on his head, and about the other, which had sprung up, before which three horns fell, and about that horn which had eyes and a mouth speaking great things, and which was more powerful than the rest21I watched, and behold, that horn made war against the holy ones and prevailed over them22until the Ancient of days came and gave judgment to the holy ones of the Supreme One, and the time arrived, and the holy ones obtained the kingdom23And thus he said, "The fourth beast will be the fourth kingdom on earth, which will be greater than all the kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will trample and crush it24Moreover, the ten horns of the same kingdom will be ten kings, and another will rise up after them, and he will be mightier than the ones before him, and he will bring down three kings25And he will speak words against the Supreme One, and will exhaust the holy ones of the Most High, and he will think about what it would take to change the times and the laws, and they will be given into his hand until a time, and times, and half a time26And a trial will begin, so that his power may be taken away, and be crushed, and be undone all the way to the end27Yet the kingdom, and the power, and the greatness of that kingdom, which is under all of heaven, shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all kings will serve and obey him.
Luke
34But be attentive to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts may be weighed down by self-indulgence and inebriation and the cares of this life. And then that day may overwhelm you suddenly35For like a snare it will overwhelm all those who sit upon the face of the entire earth36And so, be vigilant, praying at all times, so that you may be held worthy to escape from all these things, which are in the future, and to stand before the Son of man.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the interplay between faith, vigilance, and trust in God’s ultimate triumph over evil. In the first reading from Daniel, we encounter a vision of four beasts, symbolizing four kingdoms that rise and fall. The fourth beast, particularly fearsome, represents a kingdom that seeks to dominate and oppress. Yet, Daniel is assured that the saints of the Most High will ultimately receive the kingdom, and God’s people will endure. This apocalyptic imagery reminds us that, despite the chaos and challenges of this world, God’s sovereignty is unshaken, and His plan for the holy ones will prevail.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus urging His disciples to remain vigilant and prayerful. He warns against being weighed down by the cares of this life and the temptation to indulge in worldly comforts. Jesus compares the coming day of reckoning to a snare that will catch the unprepared. This passage is a call to live with our hearts fixed on eternal realities, not distracted by fleeting pleasures or anxieties. It reminds us that our ultimate destiny is to stand before the Son of Man, and we must be ready.
Both readings, though separated by centuries, share a common theme: trust in God’s plan and the necessity of remaining faithful amidst uncertainty. Daniel’s vision assures us that even in the face of overwhelming evil, God’s kingdom will triumph. Luke’s Gospel challenges us to live with eyes open, hearts pure, and spirits prayerful, so that we may not be caught off guard by the trials of this life. Together, they teach us to stay grounded in faith, to avoid being consumed by the distractions and temptations of the world, and to trust that God’s justice and love will ultimately prevail. Let us strive to live each day with this hope and vigilance, knowing that we are called to be holy ones of the Most High, destined for an everlasting kingdom.