Daily Readings - Fri Dec 01 2023
Daniel
1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.2Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.3And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.4The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.5And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.6After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.7After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse 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 little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.9I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.10A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.11I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.12As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Luke
29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter vivid imagery and profound truths about God’s ultimate triumph and our call to readiness. The first reading from Daniel describes a vision of four beasts rising from the sea, symbolizing the rise and fall of earthly powers. The fourth beast, with its terrifying strength and ten horns, represents the ultimate human pride and rebellion against God. Yet, the vision shifts to the Ancient of Days, who judges the beasts and destroys them, while the “son of man” receives dominion over all peoples. This vision reminds us that earthly powers, no matter how formidable, are temporary and will be judged by God, who will establish His eternal kingdom.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to teach about vigilance and trust in God’s plan. Just as the fig tree’s budding signals the approach of summer, so too will the signs of the times signal the nearness of God’s kingdom. Jesus assures us that while heaven and earth will pass away, His words will endure forever. This teaching invites us to live with hope and confidence, trusting that God’s promises are unshakable, even in uncertain times.
Together, these readings call us to focus on what truly endures. While earthly powers and human achievements may seem all-consuming, they are fleeting. What matters most is our relationship with God and our readiness to receive His kingdom. Let us cultivate a spirit of trust and vigilance, knowing that God’s word is our anchor in every storm. May we live each day with hearts open to His will, confident that His kingdom will prevail.