My Saturday Daily Blessings
Be still, quiet your heart and mind, the Lord is here loving you, talking to you.................
34th Week in Ordinary Time (Roman Rite Calendar)
*First Reading: 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."
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
*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."
"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."
**Reflection:
Is there anything holding you back from the joy and freedom of the Lord? God wants our hearts for him and for his kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness (Romans 14:17). But our hearts can be weighed down by many different things, such as greed, gluttony, drunkenness, and so many other harmful addictions and sinful habits. Jesus, our Lord and Master, offers us true freedom – freedom from the power of sin and wasted life, and freedom from our unruly desires and disordered passions – such as making food, drink or anything else our master rather than our servant. Jesus wants our hearts to be ruled by one thing only – his love and truth which enables us to choose whatever is good and to reject whatever is evil and harmful for us.
Jesus also warns us of the temptation to slacken off – to become spiritually idle, lazy, indifferent, or inattentive to God's word and guidance for our lives. We can fall asleep spiritually if we allow other things to distract us from the reality of God and his kingdom. It is very easy to get caught up in the things of the present moment or to be weighed down with anxious cares and concerns. The Lord knows our struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings. And he assures us that we do not need to carry our burdens alone nor struggle without his help. He is always very present and ready to give us whatever strength, guidance, and help we need to fight temptation and to stay the course which he has set for us. But there is one thing he doesn't tolerate: indifference, an attitude of not caring, and doing nothing! The Lord wants us to cast our anxieties on him and to ask for his guidance and help. Do you pray for God's strength and wisdom? Until the Lord comes again we can expect troubles, trials, and temptations. Our adversary the devil does not rest in his attempt to lure us away from God's will for our lives. If he cannot succeed in getting us to renounce our faith in Christ, he will try, little by little, to distract us from pursuing God, especially in prayer and listening to his word. Ask the Lord Jesus to rekindle the fire of his love in you so that you will be ready and eager to meet him when he comes again.
**Prayer:
AMEN.
"Lord Jesus, rouse my spirit to the truth that this world is passing away. Give me a lively faith, a joyful hope, and a fervent love to see you face to face when you return in glory."
Sources:
The readings on this page are from the Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world.
*Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
**Don Schwager
Author and Writer for The Word Among Us
Member, Servants of the Word (c) 2006
Word Life Community
"Give glory and praise to Him."
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