Daily Readings - Sat Nov 29 2025
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful visions: one from Daniel and another from Luke. Daniel’s vision describes four great beasts, symbolizing four kingdoms that will rise and fall on earth. The fourth beast, particularly fearsome, represents a kingdom that will persecute the holy ones of God. Yet, Daniel is assured that the saints will ultimately receive the kingdom, and God’s people will triumph in the end. This vision reminds us that, despite the chaos and struggles of this world, God’s plan prevails, and His people will inherit eternal glory.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns us to stay vigilant and prayerful, lest we be weighed down by the cares and distractions of this life. He compares the coming day of reckoning to a snare that will catch the unprepared. Jesus urges us to live with our hearts focused on what truly matters, avoiding the self-indulgence and anxieties that can blind us to spiritual realities. Both readings, though written in different times and styles, share a common theme: the call to trust in God’s ultimate victory and to live with our eyes fixed on eternal truths.
How do these readings apply to our daily lives? They remind us to avoid being consumed by the fleeting concerns of the world. Like Daniel, we may face challenges and uncertainties, but we are called to trust in God’s plan and remain steadfast in our faith. Like the disciples in Luke’s Gospel, we must stay vigilant, praying always and seeking to live in a way that reflects our ultimate goal: to stand before the Son of Man with hearts pure and ready. Let us strive to live each day with gratitude, hope, and a deep trust in God’s providence, knowing that He will guide us through all trials until we reach the eternal kingdom.