Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 29 September 2028

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.

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.

Or

7 And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels:

8 And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9 And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth, who accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of the testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death.

12ab Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you that dwell therein.

R. (1) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

1 I will praise thee, O lord, with my whole heart: for thou hast heard the words of my mouth. I will sing praise to thee in the sight of his angels:

2ab I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name.

R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

2cde For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all.

3 In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me: thou shall multiply strength in my soul.

R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

4 May all the kings of the earth give glory to thee: for they have heard all the words of thy mouth.

5 And let them sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.

R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

21 Bless the LORD, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him: and he saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.

48 Nathanael saith to him: Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered, and said to him: Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

49 Nathanael answered him, and said: Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel.

50 Jesus answered, and said to him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see.

51 And he saith to him: Amen, amen I say to you, you shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Heaven is opened to us through the Son of Man. Daniel sees him coming with the clouds to receive an everlasting kingdom, while Jesus tells Nathanael that he will see angels ascending and descending upon him. Christ is the living meeting place between God and humanity. His authority is not fragile or temporary; his kingdom cannot be destroyed.

The vision of heaven’s battle deepens this hope. The accuser is cast down, and God’s people overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Victory belongs to Christ, yet his servants share in it by remaining faithful. Nathanael’s honest heart becomes a place where faith can grow: he moves from asking who Jesus is to confessing him as the Son of God and King. We, too, may begin with limited understanding, but Christ already sees us and calls us toward “greater things.” Our worship, truthful witness, and steadfast trust become ways of living beneath his reign, even when the world seems unsettled. In him, heaven is not closed; grace continually reaches us.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of Man and King of Israel, you see me completely and still call me to follow you. Give me Nathanael’s honest heart, free from deceit, and the courage to speak faithfully of what you have done. When accusation, fear, or temptation weighs upon me, keep me close to your saving Cross. Through the witness of your angels and the strength of your grace, help me remember that your kingdom cannot be destroyed. Open my eyes to the greater things you are accomplishing, and teach me to praise you with my whole heart. Amen.