Reading 1 Dn 7:15-27
I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh,
and I was terrified by the visions of my mind.
I approached one of those present
and asked him what all this meant in truth;
in answer, he made known to me the meaning of the things:
"These four great beasts stand for four kingdoms
which shall arise on the earth.
But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship,
to possess it forever and ever."
But I wished to make certain about the fourth beast,
so very terrible and different from the others,
devouring and crushing with its iron teeth and bronze claws,
and trampling with its feet what was left;
about the ten horns on its head, and the other one that sprang up,
before which three horns fell;
about the horn with the eyes and the mouth that spoke arrogantly,
which appeared greater than its fellows.
For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones
and was victorious until the Ancient One arrived;
judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High,
and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom.
He answered me thus:
"The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth
different from all the others;
It shall devour the whole earth,
beat it down, and crush it.
The ten horns shall be ten kings
rising out of that kingdom;
another shall rise up after them,
Different from those before him,
who shall lay low three kings.
He shall speak against the Most High
and oppress the holy ones of the Most High,
thinking to change the feast days and the law.
They shall be handed over to him
for a year, two years, and a half-year.
But when the court is convened,
and his power is taken away
by final and absolute destruction,
Then the kingship and dominion and majesty
of all the kingdoms under the heavens
shall be given to the holy people of the Most High,
Whose Kingdom shall be everlasting:
all dominions shall serve and obey him."
Responsorial Psalm Dn 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"You sons of men, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"O Israel, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
"Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever."
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.
Gospel Lk 21:34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man."
Meditation: Daniel 7:15-27
Bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (Daniel 3:82)
Today is the last day of our church year. Tomorrow we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent. So as we look back on the past year and look ahead to the year to come, let’s think about the popular saying of the philosopher, George Santayana: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Santayana was commenting on how our inability to learn from past mistakes can lead to even greater division or destruction. But Santayana could just as easily have stated this principle in a positive light: “Those who remember the good things of the past will be empowered to repeat them.” If we look at it from this angle, we can see that all of our acts of kindness and generosity can build up a godly character in us. They have the potential to make us kind, generous people —and this pleases Jesus.
So why not take a practical approach to the way you close out this year and open a new one? Begin by listing two areas —your relationship with the Lord and your key relationships in this world.
For the first area, ask yourself: “How have I grown closer to Jesus this year, and what can I do to grow closer to him next year?” And for the second area, ask yourself: “What were the two or three highlights in my family relationships in the past year? What can I do to strengthen these ties even more in the coming year? How can I become kinder or more merciful or more selfless next year?” Write down your answers in your prayer journal, and keep them close, so that you can refer to them as the next year unfolds.
New beginnings always have a sense of excitement about them. It’s as if the whole slate were wiped clean, and you can start afresh. How much more exciting is the promise that if you remember the good things that God has done in the past, your new year can be even better!
“Jesus, I want to give you my heart even more this Advent. Teach me how to love you and serve my family more deeply.”
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