WATCH AT ALL TIMES…

Daniel 7:15-27

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious and the visions of my head alarmed me.16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made known to me the interpretation of the things.
17 ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, for ever and ever.’
19 “Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrible, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze; and which devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet;
20 and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up and before which three of them fell, the horn which had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and which seemed greater than its fellows.
21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints, and prevailed over them,
22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints received the kingdom.
23 “Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings.
25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, two times, and half a time.
26 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.’

Luke 21:34-36

34 “But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare;35 for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth.36 But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.”  

MEDITATION

THE PROPHET DANIEL is anxious and alarmed at the dreams and messages  that King Belshazzar received such that he appealed to the angel to verify the truthfulness of these revelations. 

‘Four beasts’ is an allegorical and or a metaphoric term that may refer to four kings or tribes also poetically depicted as four lions, to express the strength or power of a good or bad leader.Verse 25 illustrate the actions and consequences of an ‘evil’ king who percecuted the saints, but alas his reign is shortlived for the saints will be delivered and taste victory!

THE GOSPEL READING: Jesus’ reference to the fig tree in the preceding paragraph culminate with a cautionary notice, warning His apostles to not indulge in worldly sensual pleasures such as; drunkenness, materialism and power. 

We the laity and leaders of the Church are called to exalt Christ and be lowly servants who desire to be saints. He must increase, but [we] must decrease. Moreover, we must continuesly watch and pray to prevent the evil one from mesmerizing us with the allure of a hedonistic way of life, that shall surely lead to the destruction of our soul! 

LET US PRAY:Daniel 3:82-87

82 Bless the Lord, all beasts and cattle, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.83 Bless the Lord, you sons of men, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.84 Bless the Lord, O Israel, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
85 Bless the Lord, you priests of the Lord, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.86 Bless the Lord, you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.87 Bless the Lord, spirits and souls of the righteous, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER 
Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.