Daily Readings - Sat Dec 02 2023
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 faith, vigilance, and trust in God’s ultimate triumph over evil. In the first reading from Daniel, we encounter a vision of four beasts, symbolizing four kingdoms that rise and fall. The fourth beast, particularly fearsome, represents a kingdom that seeks to dominate and oppress. Yet, Daniel is assured that the saints of the Most High will ultimately receive the kingdom, and God’s people will endure. This apocalyptic imagery reminds us that, despite the chaos and challenges of this world, God’s sovereignty is unshaken, and His plan for the holy ones will prevail.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus urging His disciples to remain vigilant and prayerful. He warns against being weighed down by the cares of this life and the temptation to indulge in worldly comforts. Jesus compares the coming day of reckoning to a snare that will catch the unprepared. This passage is a call to live with our hearts fixed on eternal realities, not distracted by fleeting pleasures or anxieties. It reminds us that our ultimate destiny is to stand before the Son of Man, and we must be ready.
Both readings, though separated by centuries, share a common theme: trust in God’s plan and the necessity of remaining faithful amidst uncertainty. Daniel’s vision assures us that even in the face of overwhelming evil, God’s kingdom will triumph. Luke’s Gospel challenges us to live with eyes open, hearts pure, and spirits prayerful, so that we may not be caught off guard by the trials of this life. Together, they teach us to stay grounded in faith, to avoid being consumed by the distractions and temptations of the world, and to trust that God’s justice and love will ultimately prevail. Let us strive to live each day with this hope and vigilance, knowing that we are called to be holy ones of the Most High, destined for an everlasting kingdom.