Saturday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Dn 7:15-27
I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh, and I was terrified by the visions of my mind. I approached one of those present and asked him what all this meant in truth; in answer, he made known to me the meaning of the things: “These four great beasts stand for four kingdoms which shall arise on the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it forever and ever.” But I wished to make certain about the fourth beast, so very terrible and different from the others, devouring and crushing with its iron teeth and bronze claws, and trampling with its feet what was left; about the ten horns on its head, and the other one that sprang up, before which three horns fell; about the horn with the eyes and the mouth that spoke arrogantly, which appeared greater than its fellows. For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones and was victorious until the Ancient One arrived; judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom. He answered me thus: “The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth different from all the others; It shall devour the whole earth, beat it down, and crush it. The ten horns shall be ten kings rising out of that kingdom; another shall rise up after them, different from those before him, who shall lay low three kings. He shall speak against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High, thinking to change the feast days and the law. They shall be handed over to him for a year, two years, and a half-year. But when the court is convened, and his power is taken away by final and absolute destruction, Then the kingship and dominion and majesty of all the kingdoms under the heavens shall be given to the holy people of the Most High, Whose Kingdom shall be everlasting: all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”
Responsorial Psalm – Dn 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
R. Give glory and eternal praise to Him.
“You sons of men, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt Him above all forever.” R.
“O Israel, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt Him above all forever.” R.
“Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt Him above all forever.” R.
“Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt Him above all forever.” R.
“Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt Him above all forever.” R.
“Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt Him above all forever.” R.
Gospel – Lk 21:34-36
Jesus said to His disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Featured Saints
St. Habakkuk. Prophet of the Old Testament who, in face of the iniquity and violence of men, proclaimed both God’s judgement and divine mercy.
St. Silverius, Pope and martyr († 537). Refusing to reinstate Anthimus, the heretical bishop of Constantinople, he was, by order of Empress Theodora, exiled to the island of Palmaria, Italy, where he died.
St. Chromatius of Aquileia, Bishop († 407). Transforming his father’s house into a monastery, there he led an ascetic life. At the death of Valerianus, the archbishop of Aquileia (northeastern Italy), the faithful acclaimed him as the successor. He favored the Church’s growth with his preaching, and was particularly skilled in resolving disputes of his time.
St. Bibiana, martyr. Victim of the persecution of Julian the Apostate in the fourth century.
Blessed Ivan Slezyuk, Bishop and martyr († 1973). He tirelessly exercised his episcopal ministry in hiding among the Ukrainian faithful of Byzantine Rite. Arrested and sentenced twice by the communist government, he spent a total of 15 years in forced labour camps in Russia and in prisons in Ukraine.
Blessed John van Ruysbroeck, priest († 1381). He retired with two companions to Groenendael (Belgium) to lead a life of recollection under the rule of St. Augustine. A great mystic, he wrote several works of spirituality.
Blessed Maria Angela Astorch, abbess (†1665). A Clarist nun who was a model of penance and humility.
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