Mass Readings for December 1, 2023

Daniel 7:2-14
Daniel 3:75-81
Luke 21:29-33

Daniel 7:2-14
2 I saw in my vision at night, and behold, the four winds of the heavens fought upon the great sea. 3 And four great beasts, different from one another, ascended from the sea. 4 The first was like a lioness and had the wings of an eagle. I watched as its wings were plucked off, and it was raised from the earth and stood on its feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it. 5 And behold, another beast, like a bear, stood to one side, and there were three rows in its mouth and in its teeth, and they spoke to it in this way: “Arise, devour much flesh.” 6 After this, I watched, and behold, another like a leopard, and it had wings like a bird, four upon it, and four heads were on the beast, and power was given to it. 7 After this, I watched in the vision of the night, and behold, a fourth beast, terrible yet wondrous, and exceedingly strong; it had great iron teeth, eating yet crushing, and trampling down the remainder with his feet, but it was unlike the other beasts, which I had seen before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, another little horn rose out of the midst of them. And three of the first horns were rooted out by its presence. And behold, eyes like the eyes of a man were in this horn, and a mouth speaking unnatural things. 9 I watched until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of days sat down. His garment was radiant like snow, and the hair of his head like clean wool; his throne was flames of fire, its wheels had been set on fire. 10 A river of fire rushed forth from his presence. Thousands upon thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times hundreds of thousands attended before him. The trial began, and the books were opened. 11 I watched because of the voice of the great words which that horn was speaking, and I saw that the beast had been destroyed, and its body was ruined and had been handed over to be burnt with fire. 12 Likewise, the power of the other beasts was taken away, and a limited time of life was appointed to them, until one time and another. 13 I watched, therefore, in the vision of the night, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man arrived, and he approached all the way to the Ancient of days, and they presented him before him. 14 And he gave him power, and honor, and the kingdom, and all peoples, tribes, and languages will serve him. His power is an eternal power, which will not be taken away, and his kingdom, one which will not be corrupted.

Daniel 3:75-81
75 Mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever. 76 All things that grow in the land, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever. 77 Fountains, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever. 78 Seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever. 79 Whales and all things that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever. 80 All things that fly in the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever. 81 All beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

Luke 21:29-33
29 “And he told them a comparison: ‘Take notice of the fig tree and of all the trees. 30 When presently they produce fruit from themselves, you know that summer is near. 31 So you also, when you will have seen these things happen, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen I say to you, this lineage shall not pass away, until all these things happen. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away. But my words shall not pass away.”