NOVEMBER 27 Mon Weekday Dn 1:1-6, 8-20/Lk 21:1-4 

28 Tue Weekday Dn 2:31-45/Lk 21:5-11 

29 Wed Weekday Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28/Lk 21:12-19 

30 Thu St Andrew,  Rom 10:9-18/Mt 4:18-22

DECEMBER 1 Fri Weekday Dn 7:2-14/Lk 21:29-33 

2 Sat Weekday Dn 7:15-27/Lk 21:34-36

3 1st  SUNDAY OF ADVENT Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/1 Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37 

The church year ends this week with readings from the Book of Daniel and apocalyptic sections of St. Luke’s gospel about the future, the day of the Lord, when the kingdom of God finally comes and humanity and all creation reach the goal intended by God from the beginning. No easy readings for us who live now, even as wars, earthquakes and the cries of nature warn us of the fragile nature of creation.

Luke’s gospel is careful to remind his hearers against expecting an immediate coming of the kingdom. Use the one golden talent given to you. That will get you through.

The Book of Daniel brings us to Babylon and the three young Jewish exiles  in the service of King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel gives Nebuchadnezzar an unexpected picture of the future. His kingdom has clay feet; it will collapse and fall to the ground. The only kingdom that endures is God’s kingdom, a stone hewn from a mountain.