27 November/Saturday/34th Week in Ordinary Time, 

Dan 7,15-27/Dan 3,82.83.84.85.86.87/Luke 21,34-36

By Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD

First Reading   Daniel 7:15-27

His sovereignty will be an eternal sovereignty

I, Daniel, was deeply disturbed and the visions that passed through my head alarmed me. So I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him to tell me the truth about all this. And in reply he revealed to me what these things meant. “These four great beasts are four kings who will rise from the earth. Those who are granted sovereignty are the saints of the Most High, and the kingdom will be theirs for ever, for ever and ever.” Then I asked to know the truth about the fourth beast, different from all the rest, very terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, eating, crushing and trampling underfoot what remained; and the truth about the ten horns on its head – and why the other horn sprouted and the three original horns fell, and why this horn had eyes and a mouth that was full of boasts, and why it made a greater show than the other horns. This was the horn I had watched making war on the saints and proving the stronger, until the coming of the one of great age who gave judgement in favour of the saints of the Most High, when the time came for the saints to take over the kingdom. This is what he said:

‘The fourth beast

is to be a fourth kingdom on earth,

different from all other kingdoms.

It will devour the whole earth,

trample it underfoot and crush it.

As for the ten horns: from this kingdom

will rise ten kings, and another after them;

this one will be different from the previous ones

and will bring down three kings;

he is going to speak words against the Most High,

and harass the saints of the Most High.

He will consider changing seasons and the Law,

and the saints will be put into his power

for a time, two times, and half a time.

But a court will be held and his power will be stripped from him,

consumed, and utterly destroyed.

And sovereignty and kingship,

and the splendours of all the kingdoms under heaven

will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.

His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty

and every empire will serve and obey him.’

Responsorial Psalm  Daniel 3:82-87

Sons of men! bless the Lord.

    Give glory and eternal praise to him!

Israel! bless the Lord.

    Give glory and eternal praise to him!

Priests! bless the Lord.

    Give glory and eternal praise to him!

Servants of the Lord! bless the Lord.

    Give glory and eternal praise to him!

Spirits and souls of the virtuous! bless the Lord.

    Give glory and eternal praise to him!

Devout and humble-hearted men! bless the Lord.

    Give glory and eternal praise to him!

Gospel Acclamation    Matt 24:42,44

Alleluia, alleluia!

Stay awake and stand ready,

because you do not know the hour

when the Son of Man is coming.

Alleluia!

Gospel    Luke 21:34-36

That day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’

Reflection

A significant aspect of the explanation of the vision of Daniel as given by the angel is the mention of the saints of the Most High to whom the kingdom is entrusted forever. It is significant that there is no mention of a succession of the kingdom that is entrusted to the saints of the Most High. The absence of such a succession is indicated by saying that the kingdom entrusted to them was to last forever. The interpretation of the vision places emphasis on a heavenly kingdom that would succeed the earthly ones. Suspense in the narration of the vision and its interpretation is increased as the author leaves unexplained some elements of the vision.

It is also important to note that the saints of the Most High are to take over the same kinship that was held by the preceding empires. This confirms the conviction that there is only one kingship which is entrusted to different people by the Most High who is the ultimate ruler. It is a rule that derives from heaven and not from human persons. If God does not give the kingship, in vain do people struggle to establish it all by themselves.

We are not too clear about those designated as saints of the Most High. We can however say that the term applies to people who are faithful to God. The Scriptures point out that Jesus Christ is the one who would establish the kingdom of God. This would be an everlasting kingdom since no one can snatch victory from him. He receives his power from God, not as a subject but as a Son, begotten from all ages. Christ is the only one who can save people because of faith in him and his sacrifice on the cross. His cross is the means of salvation and sanctification of all people. He is the lamb that was slain and who takes away the sins of the world. Christ himself says he is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him. Thus, the saints of the Most High are those saved by Christ. If we want to be counted among the saints of the Most High at the end time, we should endeavour to live a life of faith at all times. Let us keep in mind the words of Jesus in the Gospel Reading: “Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.” This is what will save us.