November
28, 2015
Saturday
of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint
of the Day: Saint James of the Marches, Franciscan priest (1394-1476)
Reading
1
15I,
Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh, and I was
terrified by the visions of my mind. 16I 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:
17“These
four great beasts stand for four kingdoms which shall arise on the earth. 18But
the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it
forever and ever.”
19But
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; 20about 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.
21For,
as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones and was victorious 22until
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.
23He
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.
24The
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. 25He
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.[1] 26But
when the court is convened, and his power is taken away by final and absolute destruction,
27Then 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
R.
Give glory and eternal praise to Him.
82“You
sons of men, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.
Give glory and eternal praise to Him.
83“O
Israel, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.”
R.
Give glory and eternal praise to Him.
84“Priests
of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.”
R.
Give glory and eternal praise to Him.
85“Servants
of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.”
R.
Give glory and eternal praise to Him.
86“Spirits
and souls of the just, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.”
R.
Give glory and eternal praise to Him.
87“Holy
men of humble heart, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.”
R.
Give glory and eternal praise to Him.
Alleluia
Luke 21:36
R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Be
vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before
the Son of Man.
R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
34Jesus
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 35like a trap. For
that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. 36Be
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.”
Notes on Readings:
[1] Daniel
7:25 - The reference is to the persecutions of Antiochus IV and his attempt to
force the Jews to give up their customs and to adopt Hellenistic ways (1 Maccabbes 1:33-34). A
year, two years, and a half-year: an indefinite, evil period of time. As seven
is
the Jewish "perfect" number, half of it signifies great imperfection.
Actually, this corresponds fairly accurately to the duration of Antiochus'
persecution.
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Dear Humanity,
I personally encourage everyone to emulate JESUS' values on LOVE, FAITH, HOPE
and CHARITY, as the humanity has been a failure; which resulted to the more than two (2) years of pandemic and its after-effects on economy, not only here in the Philippines but worldwide.
And the saddest part of it, is that, it affected the POOREST of the POOR to even extremely be more poorer, in exchange of the affluent to be more richer.
Thank you and may GOD bless you and the whole family to have an enjoyed life's journey at home, Church, schools/universities, corporate commitments, public and places of interest.