Daily Mass and Readings

2In the vision I saw during the night, suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, 3from which emerged four immense beasts, each different from the others. 4The first was like a lion, but with eagle's wings. While I watched, the wings were plucked; it was raised from the ground to stand on two feet like a man, and given a human mind. 5The second was like a bear; it was raised up on one side, and among the teeth in its mouth were three tusks. It was given the order, "Up, devour much flesh." 6After this I looked and saw another beast, like a leopard; on its back were four wings like those of a bird, and it had four heads. To this beast dominion was given. 7After this, in the visions of the night I saw the fourth beast, different from all the others, terrifying, horrible, and of extraordinary strength; it had great iron teeth with which it devoured and crushed, and what was left it trampled with its feet. 8I was considering the ten horns it had, when suddenly another, a little horn, sprang out of their midst, and three of the previous horns were torn away to make room for it. This horn had eyes like a man, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly. 9As I watched, Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. 10A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. 11I watched, then, from the first of the arrogant words which the horn spoke, until the beast was slain and its body thrown into the fire to be burnt up. 12The other beasts, which also lost their dominion, were granted a prolongation of life for a time and a season. 13As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, 14He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

75Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 76Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 77You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 78Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 79You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 80All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. 81All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

29And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; 30as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.