Daily Readings - Fri Nov 28 2025
Daniel
1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter.2Daniel declared, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.3And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.4The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.5And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, 'Arise, devour much flesh.'6After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it.7After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.8I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.9As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.10A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.11I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.12As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.13I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.14And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Luke
29And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.30As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.32Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the mystery of God’s plan and the call to trust in His ultimate triumph. In the first reading from Daniel, we encounter a visionary and symbolic description of the rise and fall of earthly powers. Daniel’s vision speaks of four beasts representing kingdoms that dominate and oppress, but ultimately, they are judged and destroyed. The fourth beast, in particular, is terrifying and powerful, yet it is no match for the divine judgment that follows. The vision culminates in the arrival of “one like a son of man,” who is given dominion and glory, symbolizing the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom. This passage reminds us that all earthly powers are transient and that God’s sovereignty will prevail.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to teach His disciples about vigilance and the signs of the times. Just as the budding of the fig tree signals the approach of summer, so too will the unfolding of certain events signal the nearness of God’s kingdom. Jesus emphasizes that His words are eternal and unchanging, even as heaven and earth pass away. This teaching encourages us to live with hope and trust in God’s plan, even amidst uncertainty and chaos. Both readings, in their own way, point to the same truth: God’s kingdom is not of this world, and His ultimate victory is assured.
How do these readings apply to our daily lives? They remind us to keep our eyes fixed on what is eternal, even as we navigate the challenges of the present. Like Daniel, we may face situations that seem overwhelming or unjust, but we are called to trust in God’s providence. Like the disciples, we are invited to remain vigilant, knowing that God’s plan is unfolding in ways we may not fully understand. The moral lesson here is one of hope and trust. No matter how dark the world may seem, we know that God’s kingdom will triumph. Let us live each day with faith, ready to embrace whatever comes, knowing that God’s word endures forever.