Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
Psalm 133[a]
The Blessings of Brotherly Accord
1 A song of ascents. Of David.[b]
How wonderful and delightful it is
for brothers to live together in unity.[c]
2 It is like fragrant ointment poured on the head,
running down upon the beard,
running down upon the beard of Aaron,
and flowing on the collar of his robes.[d]
3 It is like the dew of Hermon
falling upon the mountains of Zion.[e]
For there the Lord has bestowed his blessing,
life forevermore.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of the Shattered Statue[a]
Chapter 2
The King’s Dream. 1 During the second year of his reign, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him deeply and made sleep impossible. 2 Therefore, the king commanded that the magicians, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans[b] were to be summoned to interpret his dream. When they arrived and stood in his presence, 3 he said to them, “I have had a dream, and my mind is troubled because I have been unable to interpret it.” 4 The Chaldeans replied to the king in Aramaic,[c] “May you live forever, O king. Relate your dream to us, your servants, and we will reveal its meaning to you.”
5 The king answered the Chaldeans, “This is what I have decided to do. If you are unable to tell me both the dream I had and its meaning, I will command that you be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be totally destroyed. 6 However, if you are able to tell me what I dreamed and its meaning, I will present you with gifts, rewards, and great honors. Therefore, tell me the content of the dream and its meaning.”
7 They replied a second time, “Let the king first reveal his dream to his servants, and we shall interpret its meaning for you.” 8 But the king responded, “It is clear to me that you are stalling for time, since you know what I have already resolved to do. 9 If you are unable to interpret my dream for me, there will only be one verdict for you. You have obviously decided to stall for time in the hope that some compromise may be reached. Therefore, relate the content of my dream to me so that I will be able to determine whether you can interpret it correctly.”
10 The Chaldeans answered the king, “There is not a man on earth who can do what you request, O king. Never has there been a king, no matter how great or powerful, who has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11 What you are requiring of us is much too difficult, and no one can satisfy the king’s demand except for the gods, whose dwelling is not among mortals.”
12 On hearing this, the king flew into a violent rage and ordered that all the wise men of Babylon were to be put to death. 13 There-fore, the decree was issued for their execution, and a search was also made for Daniel and his companions so that they also might be executed.
14 As Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, prepared to execute the wise men of Babylon, Daniel approached him, and with prudent words and discretion 15 he said to him, “May I ask you why the king has issued such a harsh decree?” When Arioch explained what had occurred, 16 Daniel went off and asked the king to decree a stay of execution so that he might have the opportunity to offer his interpretation to the king.
17 The Prayer of Daniel. Then Daniel went home and informed his companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, what had happened. 18 He also asked them to implore the God of heaven[d] for his mercy in regard to the mystery so that he and his companions might not perish along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision during the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 This is what Daniel said,
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
for wisdom and power are his.
21 He directs the changes of the times and seasons;
he controls the appointment and the removal of kings.
He endows the wise with wisdom
and confers knowledge on those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and hidden mysteries
and knows what lies in the darkness,
for light dwells with him.
23 To you, O God of my fathers,
I offer thanks and praise
because you have given me wisdom and power.
Now you have made known to me
what we asked of you;
you have revealed to us the king’s dream.”
23 The Community’s Prayer for the Apostles.[a] As soon as they were released, they went back[b] to the community and reported everything that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, “Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and of everything that is in them, 25 you said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our ancestor David, your servant,
‘Why do the Gentiles rage
and the peoples devise futile plots?
26 The kings of the earth take their stand,
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord and against his Anointed.’
27 “Indeed, in this very city both Herod and Pontius Pilate along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel plotted against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your decree had predestined to take place. 29 And now, O Lord, be aware of their threats, and grant that your servants may proclaim your word with all boldness, 30 as you stretch out your hand to heal and as signs and wonders are accomplished through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 When they had finished their prayer, the place where they were gathered together shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed the word of God fearlessly.
Copyright © 2019 by Catholic Book Publishing Corp. All rights reserved.