1ST READING
The ultimate end of our lives is submission to God in all things. Men and women can do whatever they want, but in the end, we all have to give an account of our lives. This reminds us to be responsible for our actions so that when Judgment Day comes, we will have a worthy answer when God asks us what we have done with our lives.
Daniel 7:15-27
15 I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh, and I was terrified by the visions of my mind. 16 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: 17 “These four great beasts stand for four kingdoms which shall arise on the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it forever and ever.” 19 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; 20 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. 21 For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones and was victorious 22 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. 23 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. 24 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. 25 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. 26 But when the court is convened, and his power is taken away by final and absolute destruction, 27 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.”
P S A L M
Daniel 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.
82 “You sons of men, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 83 “O Israel, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 84 “Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 85 “Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 86 “Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 87 “Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)
GOSPEL
The world has a way of seducing us according to its principles and ways. Sometimes our sins are upon us before we realize that we have given in to temptation. We should always be alert to the wiles of the devil and the ways he will lead us astray. Little by little, the devil will eat away our faith until we are overcome by his temptations. We need to actively deepen our faith in God, so that the temptations of the devil will have little or no effect on us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
Luke 21:34-36
34 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 35 like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. 36 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.”
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