Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 and//usccb.org/bible/daniel/1and1 DN 1and1-6, 8-20 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon cameand laid siege to Jerusalem.The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah,and some of the vessels of the temple of Godhe carried them off to the land of Shinar,and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his god.The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain,to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal bloodand of the nobility, young men without any defect,handsome, intelligent and wise,quick to learn, and prudent in judgment,such as could take their place in the king’s palacethey were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeansafter three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service.The king allotted them a daily portion of food and winefrom the royal table.Among these were men of Judahand Daniel, Hananiah,Mishael, and Azariah.But Daniel was resolved not to defile himselfwith the king’s food or wineso he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement.Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathyof the chief chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel, I am afraid of my lord the kingit is he who allotted your food and drink.If he sees that you look wretchedby comparison with the other young men of your age,you will endanger my life with the king.”Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlainhad put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah,Mishael, and Azariah, Please test your servants for ten days.Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.Then see how we look in comparison with the other young menwho eat from the royal table,and treat your servants according to what you see.”He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten daysafter ten days they looked healthier and better fedthan any of the young men who ate from the royal table.So the steward continued to take awaythe food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiencyin all literature and science,and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams.At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation,the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.When the king had spoken with all of them,none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah,Mishael, and Azariahand so they entered the king’s service.In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them,he found them ten times betterthan all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom. Responsorial Psalm and//usccb.org/bible/daniel/3:52 DANIEL 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 R. Glory and praise for ever! Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,praiseworthy and exalted above all foreverAnd blessed is your holy and glorious name,praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.” R.Glory and praise for ever! Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.” R.Glory and praise for ever! Blessed are you on the throne of your Kingdom,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” R.Glory and praise for ever! Blessed are you who look into the depthsfrom your throne upon the cherubim,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” R.Glory and praise for ever! Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,praiseworthy and glorious forever.” R.Glory and praise for ever! Alleluia and//usccb.org/bible/matthew/24:42 MT 24:42A, 44 R.Alleluia, alleluia.Stay awake!For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.R.Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel and//usccb.org/bible/luke/21:1 LK 21:1-4 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy peopleputting their offerings into the treasuryand he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.He said, I tell you truly,this poor widow put in more than all the restfor those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”