Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 26 November 2027

2 I saw in my vision by night, and behold the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

3 And four great beasts, different one from another, came up out of the sea.

4 The first was like a lioness, and had the wings of an eagle: I beheld till her wings were plucked off, and she was lifted up from the earth, and stood upon her feet as a man, and the heart of a man was given to her.

5 And behold another beast like a bear stood up on one side: and there were three rows in the mouth thereof, and in the teeth thereof, and thus they said to it: Arise, devour much flesh.

6 After this I beheld, and lo, another like a leopard, and it had upon it four wings as of a fowl, and the beast had four heads, and power was given to it.

7 After this I beheld in the vision of the night, and lo, a fourth beast, terrible and wonderful, and exceeding strong, it had great iron teeth, eating and breaking in pieces, and treading down the rest with its feet: and it was unlike to the other beasts which I had seen before it, and had ten horns.

8 I considered the horns, and behold another little horn sprung out of the midst of them: and three of the first horns were plucked up at the presence thereof: and behold eyes like the eyes of a man were in this horn, and a mouth speaking great things.

9 I beheld till thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days sat: his garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like clean wool: his throne like flames of fire: the wheels of it like a burning fire.

10 A swift stream of fire issued forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before him: the judgment sat, and the books were opened.

11 I beheld because of the voice of the great words which that horn spoke: and I saw that the beast was slain, and the body thereof was destroyed, and given to the fire to be burnt:

12 And that the power of the other beasts was taken away: and that times of life were appointed them for a time, and a time.

13 I beheld therefore in the vision of the night, and lo, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and he came even to the Ancient of days: and they presented him before him.

14 And he gave him power, and glory, and a kingdom: and all peoples, tribes and tongues shall serve him: his power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away: and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!

75 O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!

76 O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!

77 O ye fountains, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!

78 O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!

79 O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!

80 O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!

81 O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

28 Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

29 And he spoke to them in a similitude. See the fig tree, and all the trees:

30 When they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh;

31 So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.

32 Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away, till all things be fulfilled.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

The vision of Daniel places terrifying beasts, human power, and violent kingdoms before the throne of the Ancient of Days. Their strength appears immense, yet it is temporary. Judgment belongs to God, and authority is given to one like a son of man whose kingdom cannot be destroyed. Jesus then teaches us to read the signs with the attentiveness of someone watching a fig tree come to life: when these things take place, the kingdom of God is near.

Scripture does not ask us to live in fear of what is passing away. It tells us to stand erect and raise our heads, because God’s purpose is unfolding even when the world seems uncertain. The psalm widens our vision further: mountains, waters, birds, and animals all give glory to the Lord. Creation itself becomes a school of trust, praising the One whose word remains when heaven and earth pass away. Our practical response is faithful attention—refusing despair, noticing where God is bringing life, and allowing Christ’s enduring word to guide our choices. Hope is not escape from reality; it is confidence that the kingdom of God will have the final word.

Lord God, Ancient of Days, when frightening powers seem to dominate, keep my heart anchored in your lasting kingdom. Give me the wisdom to recognize the signs of your presence and the courage to stand upright in hope. Teach me to praise you with the whole of creation—in quiet places, in times of abundance, and amid uncertainty. May the words of Jesus remain firm within me when other voices pass away. Make my life attentive, faithful, and ready for your reign, so that my choices may bear witness to your truth and mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.