1ST READING
The
king does not want to punish Daniel as he knows he has done no real
wrong and that he is a good and honest person. Thus, he has him thrown
in the lions’
den where it is possible he will not be harmed if Daniel’s God
intervenes. The likelihood of this would seem dim but is indeed what
happens. King Darius then uses this miracle to decree that Daniel’s God
is a true and worthy God.
Daniel 6:12-28
12 Some men rushed into the upper chamber of Daniel’s home and found Daniel praying and pleading before his God. 13 Then
they went to remind the king about the prohibition: “Did you not
decree, O king, that no one is to address a petition to god or man for
thirty days, except to you, O king; otherwise he shall be cast into a
den of lions?” The king answered them, “The decree is absolute,
irrevocable under the Mede and Persian law.” 14 To
this they replied,
“Daniel, the Jewish exile, has paid no attention to you, O king, or to
the decree you issued; three times a day he offers his prayer.” 15 The king was deeply grieved at this news and he made up his mind to save Daniel; he worked till sunset to rescue him. 16 But
these men insisted. They said, “Keep in mind, O king, that under the
Mede and Persian law every royal prohibition or decree is irrevocable.” 17 So the king ordered Daniel to be brought and cast into the lions’ den. To Daniel he said, “May your God, whom you serve so
constantly, save you.” 18 To
forestall any tampering, the king sealed with his own ring and the
rings of the lords the stone that had been brought to block the opening
of the den. 19 Then
the king returned to his palace for the night; he refused to eat and he
dismissed the entertainers. Since sleep was impossible for him, 20 the king rose very early the next morning and hastened to the lions’ den. 21 As he drew near, he cried out to Daniel sorrowfully, “O Daniel,
servant of the living God, has the God whom you serve so constantly been able to save you from the lions?” 22 Daniel answered the king: “O king, live forever! 23 My
God has sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths so that they have
not hurt me. For I have been found innocent before him; neither to you
have I done any harm, O king!” 24 This gave the king great joy. At his order Daniel was removed from the den, unhurt because he trusted in his God. 25
The
king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel, along with their
children and their wives, to be cast into the lions’ den. Before they
reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed
all their bones. 26 Then King Darius wrote to the nations and peoples of every language, wherever they dwell on the earth: “All peace to you! 27 I decree that throughout my royal domain the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and feared: For he is the living God, enduring forever; his Kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be
without end. 28 He is a deliverer and savior, working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, and he delivered Daniel from the lions’ power.”
P S A L M
Daniel 3:68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74
R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.
45 [Dan 3:68] “Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 46 [Dan 3:69] “Frost and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 47 [Dan 3:70] “Ice and snow, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 48 [Dan 3:71]
“Nights and days, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 49 [Dan 3:72] “Light and darkness, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 50 [Dan 3:73] “Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 51 [Dan 3:74] “Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all
forever.” (R)
GOSPEL
Disasters
will befall even in communities of faith. Faith is not enough to change
the course of raging floodwaters or forest fires or many of the other
natural disasters. I am sure we all know someone who has lost a friend
or relative through no fault of that person. Faith is not to be treated
like some sort of magic charm such that evil cannot touch us anymore.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
Luke 21:20-28
20 Jesus said to his disciples: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, 22 for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled. 23 Woe
to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible
calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this
people. 24 They
will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the
Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until
the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 “There
will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations
will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”
think: Disasters will befall even in communities of faith.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 120-125
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