December 2nd, 2003, Saturday of the 34th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel.

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 of 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 wish 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 horn 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

...