Daily Readings - Sat Nov 27 2021
Daniel
15I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.16I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.17These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.18But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.19Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;20And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.21I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.23Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.24And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.26But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.27And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Luke
34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the interplay between trust in God’s ultimate triumph and the call to live with vigilance and prayer in the face of life’s uncertainties. In the first reading, Daniel describes a vision of four beasts, symbolizing the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms. The fourth beast, particularly fearsome, represents a power that oppresses the holy ones of God. Yet, the vision assures us that God will judge in favor of the holy ones, and the kingdom will ultimately belong to them. This passage reminds us that, despite the chaos and suffering we may endure, God’s sovereignty endures, and His people will inherit the kingdom.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns His disciples about the dangers of being weighed down by the cares of this life. He urges them to be vigilant and to pray always, so that they may stand before the Son of Man when He comes. This teaching emphasizes the importance of living with our hearts fixed on God, rather than being consumed by the distractions and anxieties of the world. Jesus is not calling us to fear the future but to trust in His providence while remaining spiritually alert and prepared.
Together, these readings encourage us to live with hope and perseverance. Daniel’s vision reminds us that even in the face of great trials, God’s plan will prevail, and the holy ones will receive the kingdom. Jesus’ words, on the other hand, call us to live each day with intentionality, prayer, and watchfulness. As we navigate the challenges of our own lives, let us trust in God’s ultimate triumph and strive to remain faithful and vigilant, knowing that our true home is with Him.