Blessed Virgin Mary

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊      　

Daniel 7:15-27

 I, Daniel, was deeply troubled,

Since these visions terrified me.  I approached one of those who were standing there, and asked him to tell me what all this meant. He answered me and gave me the interpretation of these things:

 ‘These four beasts are four kings who will rise from the earth.   But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom to possess it eternally, forever and ever.’

 Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, different from the others, extraordinarily terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, that ate, tore into pieces and crushed underfoot whatever re­mained.

 I also wanted to know about the ten horns it had on its head, and about the other horn which had sprung up, and the three first horns that fell, and about this horn with eyes and a mouth that spoke with arrogance, and that looked greater than the other horns.

 As I looked, this horn waged war against the holy ones and was subduing them  until the One of Great Age came to do justice for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came for the holy ones to take possession of the kingdom.

 Then I was told: ‘The fourth animal shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, different from all the kingdoms. It will devour the earth, crush it and destroy it.  The ten horns are ten kings who shall rise from this kingdom. Another one will rise up after them and destroy three kings.

 This king shall insult the Most High and persecute the holy ones of the Most High. He shall try to change the feasts and the laws. The holy ones shall be handed over to his power for a time, two times, and half a time.

 But judgment will come and dominion will be taken from him; he shall be destroyed and utterly wiped out.   The kingship, dominion and leadership of all the kingdoms of the world shall be given to the people of the holy ones of God Most High: his kingdom will be without end. All the kingdoms shall serve him and be subject to him.’

 

Dn 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87

Give glory and eternal praise to him!

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊      

Luke 21:34-36

 Be on your guard; let not your hearts be weighed down with a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you suddenly as a trap.   For it will come upon all the inhabitants of the whole earth.   But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is bound to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

The things of the earth are good for they too are creations of God. They are meant to give joy into our life and their wise use is for the benefit of humankind. But if too much of these is bad enough, then too much of nothing is just as bad what is needed is balance.

There are necessities of life we have to meet in order to live meaningful lives. But needs are sabotaged by our wants. The latter is not necessary. They just bring temporary pleasure. That is why you cannot be satisfied.

This fleeting pleasure must be re-acquired over and over again this addiction takes away our attention to what is more important, that is, the preparation for the future that is to come.

It is a future where God forms a big part of the picture. Sad to say, the pleasures we seek blurs the importance of God in our lives and substitute it with finite earthly pleasures. May we go back to our senses and work for our needs.

And after having satisfied them, we turn our gaze to what is essential. We assure ourselves of having God in our future.