Daily Readings - Thu Nov 27 2025
Daniel
11Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.12Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, "O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked."13Then they answered and said before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."14Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him.15Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed."16Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!"17And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.18Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.19Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.20As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?"21Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever!22My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."23Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.24And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions--they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.25Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: "Peace be multiplied to you.26I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.27He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions."28So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Luke
20"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,22for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.23Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.24They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.25"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,26people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.27And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons of faith and trust in divine providence. The first reading from Daniel narrates the story of Daniel's unwavering devotion to God, even in the face of persecution. Daniel, a Jewish exile in Persia, continues to pray to his God despite a decree forbidding such worship. His faith is tested when he is thrown into a lions' den, yet God's intervention saves him, turning the king's heart and leading to the glorification of God. This story underscores the power of steadfast faith and trust in God's deliverance.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus speaks to his disciples about future trials and the end times. He describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the chaos that will precede the Second Coming. Jesus urges his followers to remain vigilant and faithful, trusting that their redemption is near. This passage reminds us that our faith must endure through life's challenges and uncertainties, trusting in God's ultimate plan.
Both readings highlight the importance of faith in the face of adversity. Daniel's story shows us that even in the most difficult circumstances, God is always with us, and our trust in Him will see us through. Jesus' words remind us that our ultimate hope is in Him, and that even in the midst of turmoil, we can find peace and strength in our faith. Let us strive to live with the same courage and trust as Daniel, knowing that God is always with us, guiding us through life's challenges and leading us to eternal life.