November 25, 2011
1st READING
Daniel sees a series of worldly empires in the form of beasts that arise and subdue the people of the earth. They all come and go, but it is the Kingdom that is established by the Ancient One that endures and overcomes all the other kingdoms. Daniel also sees an image of the Son of Man, a title that Jesus often used for Himself, coming from heaven and receiving dominion over the nations of the earth. This we see fulfilled in Christ’s resurrection from the dead and now that He is exalted in heaven.
Daniel 7:2-14
2 In the vision I, Daniel, saw during the night, the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, 3 from which emerged four immense beasts, each different from the others. 4 The first was like a lion, but with eagle’s wings. While I watched, the wings were plucked; it was raised from the ground to stand on two feet like a man, and given a human mind. 5 The second was like a bear; it was raised up on one side, and among the teeth in its mouth were three tusks. It was given the order, “Up, devour much flesh.” 6 After this I looked and saw another beast, like a leopard; on its back were four wings like those of a bird, and it had four heads. To this beast dominion was given. 7 After this, in the visions of the night I saw the fourth beast, different from all the others, terrifying, horrible, and of extraordinary strength; it had great iron teeth with which it devoured and crushed, and what was left it trampled with its feet. 8 I was considering the ten horns it had, when suddenly another, a little horn, sprang out of their midst, and three of the previous horns were torn away to make room for it. This horn had eyes like a man, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly. 9 As I watched, thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. 10 A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. 11 I watched, then, from the first of the arrogant words which the horn spoke, until the beast was slain and its body thrown into the fire to be burnt up. 12 The other beasts, which also lost their dominion, were granted a prolongation of life for a time and a season. 13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, 14 He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.
P S A L M
Daniel 3:75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81
R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.
52 [Dan 3:75] “Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 53 [Dan 3:76] “Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 54 [Dan 3:77] “You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 55 [Dan 3:78] “Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 56 [Dan 3:79] “You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 57 [Dan 3:80] “All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 58 [Dan 3:81] “All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)
G O S P E L
The fig tree is a common image of the Children of Israel. Jesus suggests that when we see this nation reestablished and bursting into life, we know that His coming is near. Many saw the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 as the beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy as the nation had been non-existent since the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. How long it will be before Christ’s return is something we do not know, but we should always have a sense that it is near.
ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Luke 21:29-33
29 Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. 30 When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; 31 in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
my reflections
t h i n k : How long it will be before Christ’s return is something we do not know, but we should always have a sense that it is near.
God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Acts 21-24
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