WednesdayNovember 23
Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28 - Luke 21:12-19
Commentary for the first reading from the Aquinas Study Bible
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5:1 Baltasar: Nabuchodonosor died in 563.Then came his son, Evil Merodach (Man of Marduk). He was assassinated by his brother-in- law General Neriglassdar who had served under Nabuchodonosor when Jerusalem was destroyed. Neriglissar was followed by his son Labashi-Marduk who was murdered nine months later, in 556. The leader of the revolt was Nabonidus (Nabunaid). An objection used to be made about chapter 5: Baltassar is presented as the last king of Babylon before its fall. But we now know that know that Nabonidus in the third year of his reign, 553, made his son Baltassar coregent, and he himself left for Teima in Arabia, where he stayed for about ten years, and never reassumed the throne. So people in Babylon would commonly speak of him as king. We are not sure why he stayed so long -- perhaps better climate for his health, or perhaps religious reasons. (Fr. Most)
5:5 But as for the circumstance that the fingers seemed to be writing on the wall over against the candlestick, this was to avoid having the hand and the written matter appear at too great
a distance from the light to be clearly visible. (St. Jerome)
5:6 countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him: and yet he did not do penance. Now to what purpose do we fear evil, if our fear does not make us resolve to avoid it? But, when we are afraid of offending God not to avoid the pains of hell or the loss of heaven, but only because God being our good Father we owe him honor, respect, obedience, then our fear is filial, because a good child does not obey his father on account of the power he has to punish his disobedience, or because he might disinherit him, but purely because he is his father. (St. Francis of Sales) |
5:25-28 The origin and meaning of these words is obscure and has a varied group of opinions on it. Some say that these are Hebrew or Aramaic words, while Josephus seems to think they should be reckond in Greek. Josephus says, " MANEH. This, if it be expounded in the Greek language, may signify a Number, because God has numbered so long a time for your life, and for your government, and that there remains but a small portion. THEKEL This signifies a weight, and means that God has weighed your kingdom in a balance, and finds it going down already.--PHARES. This also, in the Greek tongue, denotes a fragment,. God will therefore break your kingdom in pieces, and divide it among the Medes and Persians."
Interestly, the original Greek Septuagint translators, whether they used another Hebrew/Aramaic version other than the version used today, or whether this too is an original reading from Daniel, who may have wrote more than one version, has an interesting reading, "v. 17 Then Daniel stood before the writing and read, and therefore answered the king, This is the writing: it has been numbered; it has been considered, it has been lifted away. And the writing hand ceased, and this is their interpretation. vv. 26-28 This is the interpretation of the writing: the time of your kingdom has been numbered, your kingdom is coming to an end. It has been cut short, and it has come to pass. Your kingdom is being given to the Medes and to the Persians." |
Commentary for the Gospel reading from the Aquinas Study Bible
21:12 This was fulfilled under Nero, who raised the first persecution, and slew the princes of the Apostles, St. Peter by the cross, St. Paul by the sword, and burnt alive in the circus many Christians, smearing them with grease and pitch, and setting them on fire, so that they acted the part of lamps to give light during the night. (Tac. Ann. l. 15.) Antichrist will do yet more horrible things before the end of the world. (Cornelius a Lapide)
21:13 testimony: that is, the glory of martyrdom. (St. Cyril of Alexandria)
21:14-15 As if the Lord said to His disciples, “Be not afraid, go forward to the battle, it is I that fight; you utter the words, I am He that speaks.” (St. Gregory the Great)
21:16 But let us consider the state of things at that time. While all men were suspected, kinsfolk were divided against one another, each differing from the other in religion; the gentile son
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stood up the betrayer of his believing parents, and of his believing son the unbelieving father became the determined accuser; no age was spared in the persecution of the faith; women were unprotected even by the natural weakness of their sex. (St. Gregory of Nyssa)
21:17 For the being hated for Christ’s sake is a sufficient reason for suffering persecutions patiently, for it is not the punishment, but the cause, that makes the martyr. (Theophylact)
21:18 Those martyrs who have been maimed and deprived of their limbs will not be without those limbs in the resurrection of the dead. (St. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica 3.82.1.r5)
21:19 Possession denotes undisturbed ownership; wherefore man is said to possess his soul by patience, in so far as it removes by the root the passions that are evoked by hardships and disturb the soul. (St. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica 2.132.2.r2) |
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ThursdayNovember 24
Daniel 6:12-28 - Luke 21:20-28
| 6:11 upper chamber: he did this out of courage so everyone could see. towards Jerusalem: he did this not only to provoke his accusers, but also to fulfull an ancient law, when Soloman built that famous temple and celebrated the festival of consecration. 1 Kings 8:48 (Theodoret of Cyrus) three times a day: Observance of certain hours will not be unprofitable. However this practice stands simply without any command for its observance, still it may be granted a good thing to establish some definite standard, which may both develop a habit to pray, and may, as it were by a law, tear us out from our businesses unto such a duty. (Tertullian) There is an ancient tradition of the Church to pray three times a day and understands them to be the third hour, the sixth hour, and the ninth hour i.e., 9:00 A.M., 12:00 M., and 3:00 P.M.. It was at |
the third hour that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles Acts 3. It was at the sixth hour that Peter, purposing to eat, ascended to the upper room for prayer Acts 10. It was at the ninth hour that Peter and John were on their way to the Temple Acts 3. (St. Jerome)
6:18 He sealed with his ring the rock by which the opening of the pit was shut up, so that the enemies of Daniel might not make any attempt to harm him. For he had entrusted him to the power of God, and although not worried about lions, he was fearful of men. He also sealed it with the ring of his nobles, in order to avoid all ground for suspicion so far as they were concerned. (St. Jerome) |
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| 6:23-25 Josephus says, "Now when his enemies saw that Daniel had suffered nothing, they would not accept that he was preserved by God, but they said that the lions had been filled full with food, and on that account it was, as they supposed, that the lions would not touch Daniel, nor come to him; and this they alleged to the king." did not reach the bottom of the den: This was to prevent their claiming that the lions shunned Daniel on account of overfeeding, and thus through envy belittling the miracle that occurred. (Theodoret of Cyrus) those men: as mentioned above in footnote for verses 3-7, the Septuagint clarifies who 'those men' actually are, they are the other two princes that were appointed with Daniel; for the Septuagint says, "Then those two men who witnessed against Daniel, they and their wives and their children were thrown to the lions." they were cast into the lions' den, they and their children, and their wives: Ancient Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus says concerning the Persians in his time, "Their laws are remarkably severe; the most stringent |
Commentary for the Gospel Reading from the Aquinas Study Bible
21:20 Thus far Christ has given His Apostles signs in common, which were to precede both the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world. He now goes on to give special signs which were to precede the siege of Jerusalem by Titus. desolation: The Roman armies which besieged Jerusalem, and which, shortly afterwards, when it had been captured, fearfully wasted it, and made it desolate. (Cornelius a Lapide) All these things took place in a preliminary way as a mere type of the Antichrist, who is destined to seat himself in the Temple of God, and make himself out to be as God. (St. Jerome Com. on Dan. 11:31)
21:21 Wherefore Christ warns Jews and Christians alike, when they beheld these signs, to flee immediately to the mountains—not of Judæa, for they were occupied by Roman soldiers (Jos. Bell. l. 3. c. 12, and l. 4. c. 2), but those beyond Judæa, that they might thus escape the approaching overthrow of the city. In this way the Christians, mindful of this prediction of Christ, and warned by a Divine oracle (Eus. H. E. l 3. c. 15), fled across the Jordan, to a city named Pella (St. Epiphan. Hæres. 29 and 30), and even carried their property thither, as well as the episcopal Chair of S. James. Eusebius says that this Chair was preserved down to his own time (H. E. 7. 15). If this Chair had remained at Jerusalem, it must have been burnt with everything else. (Cornelius a Lapide)
21:22 that are written: That is, in the book of Daniel, and the other prophets, concerning the ruin of Jerusalem, and the vengeance to be inflicted on the Jews, for all the just blood they shed, from that of Abel downwards. (Bishop John McEvilly)
21:23 Because the burden of their children would hinder their flight, so that they would be taken and slain by the savage Roman soldiers, together with their little ones. So St. Chrysostom and others. Theophylact adds that there is a further allusion to the severity of the famine, by reason of which some women were constrained to devour their infants in the siege of Jerusalem. As Josephus testifies (Bell. 7. 8), Christ declares the fearfulness of the vengeance and destruction of Jerusalem, that even women with child and infants would not be spared, as is customary in the siege and capture of other cities. (Cornelius a Lapide)
21:24 times of the nations be fulfilled: that is, until the end of the world and of all nations. For when the number of the Gentiles, according to God’s decree, has been completed, all the people and the number of the Gentiles shall be finished together with the world. So Euthymius; or as Bede, until the plenitude of the Gentiles shall enter into the Church of Christ. For when this shall be accomplished, then “all Israel shall be saved,” as the Apostle says in Rom. 11, which shall be in the end of the world. For Christ has regard to the desolation of Jerusalem. This was foretold by Daniel 9, where it is said, “The desolation shall continue unto the consummation and the end,” meaning that Jerusalem, after being razed to the ground and laid desolate by Titus, shall be no longer the capital city of the Jews, but shall belong to the Gentiles, and after that to the Christians, and after that to the Saracens and the Turks, as it is at present. And this state of things shall continue until the end of the world, when Antichrist, the king and Messiah of the Jews, shall fix the seat of his empire at Jerusalem, as is plain from Apoc. 11:8. And then shall Enoch and Elijah resist Antichrist, and convert many of the Jews to Christ. After Antichrist is slain, all the Jews shall be brought to Christ by the disciples of Enoch and Elijah, and shall publicly worship Christ in Jerusalem, as may be easily gathered from Apoc. 20:8. (Cornelius a Lapide)
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21:25 These events are also mentioned in Revelation 6:12-17, the sixth seal. (John Litteral) This is believed partly as something which had been done at the Lord's passion, and partly as something to be done in the future, (St. Bede) and of the taking of Jerusalem. It is said, indeed, that many such phenomena actually did occur in the sky, as Josephus attests. (St. John Chrysostom) Firstly, this clearly describes for us the miracles that took place at the cross- the earthquake and the turbulence of the earth Matt. 27:52, the darkness of the sun Lk. 23:44, and the changing of the full moon into blood, (Oecumenius) and these are also the signs of the end of the world. (St. Basil) The blackness of the sun, and the obscuration of the moon 'and its blood color, denote the blindness and darkness of those whom the Lord will then overtake in his wrath. (Andreas of Caesarea) stars: The falling of the stars perhaps actually took place, but if not, the account symbolically means that the heavenly light ceased, and that it became completely dark. (Oecumenius) Or the stars falling to the earth signify those who were reputed to be lights of the world; who, being cast down through fear of punishment, will fall away from the faith and truth, into perfidy and error. For, as Christ the Lord forewarns us, so great will be the affliction, that, if it were possible, the very elect will be seduced. (Andreas of Caesarea)
21:26 This is also mentioned in Revelation 6:15-16. (John Litteral) For they do not want to experience the divine wrath that with divine consent will pour down upon them either at the coming of the Antichrist in the form of punishments from the famine and other plagues of in endless torments which are expected after the resurrection. (St. Andrew of Caesarea) powers of heaven shall be moved: This means that because of God’s mercy He prevented the powers in heaven from destroying the earth and those who live on it. (Bulus al-Bushi Com on Rev 6:14)
21:27 But the words, coming in the clouds, may be taken in two ways. Either coming in His Church as it were in a cloud, as He now ceases not to come. But then it shall be with great power and majesty, for far greater will His power and might appear to His saints, to whom He will give great virtue, that they may not be overcome in such a fearful persecution. Or in His body in which He sits at His Father’s right hand He must rightly be supposed to come, and not only in His body, but also in a cloud, for He will come even as He went away, And a cloud received him out of their sight. (St. Augustine)
21:28 these things begin to come to pass: meaning that when these things shall be, not yet shall all things come to their last end, but they shall be already tending towards it. (Titus of Bostra) |
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Friday
November 25
Daniel 7:2-14 - Luke 21:29-33
Commentary for the first reading from the Aquinas Study Bible
7:3-7 four great beasts: In speaking of a “lioness from the sea,” he meant the rising of the kingdom of Babylon, and that this was the “golden head of the image. Dan. 2:32” And in speaking of its “eagle wings,” he meant that king Nebuchadnezzar was exalted and that his glory was lifted up against God. Then he says “its wings were plucked off,” that his glory was destroyed; for he was driven out of his kingdom. And the words, “A man’s heart was given it, and it was made stand upon the feet of a man,” mean that he came to himself again, and recognized that he was but a man, and gave the glory to God Dan. 4:25-31. Then after the lioness he sees a second beast, “like a bear,” which signified the Persians. For after the Babylonians the Persians obtained the power. And in saying that “it had three ribs in its mouth,” he pointed to the three nations, Persians, Medes, and Babylonians, which were expressed in the image by the silver after the gold Dan. 2:32. Then comes the third beast, “a leopard,” which means the Greeks; for after the Persians, Alexander of Macedon had the power, when Darius was overthrown, which was also indicated by the brass in the image Dan 4:39. And in saying that the beast “had four wings of a fowl, and four heads,” he showed most clearly how the kingdom of Alexander was parted into four divisions. For in speaking of four heads, he meant the four kings that arose out of it. For Alexander, when dying, divided his kingdom into four parts. Then he says, “The fourth beast (was) dreadful and terrible: it had iron teeth, and claws of iron.” Who, then, are meant by this but the Romans, whose kingdom, the kingdom that still stands, is expressed by the iron? “for,” says he, “its legs are of iron. Dan 2:33” (St. Hippolytus)
7:7-8 The fourth beast being the Roman Empire, has ruled throughout different stages of history. Though ancient Rome is no longer in power, there will be a continuation, a new Rome, that will rule the world in the same manner as before. The ten horns are 10 kings of Rome, in which the Antichrist (little horn) will come up and remove (pluck up) three who are ruling at that time, while the other seven will willfully submit to his rule. This vision is very similar to what St. John saw in Revelation 13:2, And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority." Daniel saw a vision of four separate animals, not one beast composed of parts from three animals, which means that the Antichrist's rule will include all of the areas represented by these animals — Greece, Persia and Mesopotamia.
7:9 Ancient of days: By the Ancient of days he means none other than the Lord and God and Ruler of all, and even of Christ Himself, who never ages because He is eternal. (St. Hippolytus) In that vision the whole order of the judicial power is clearly expressed. This power is in God Himself as its first |
origin, and more especially in the Father Who is the fount of the entire Godhead; wherefore it is stated in the first place that the "Ancient of days sat." But the judicial power was transmitted from the Father to the Son, not only from eternity in respect of the Divine nature, but also in time in respect of the human nature wherein He merited it. Hence in the aforesaid vision it is further stated Daniel 7:13-14: "Lo, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and He came even to the Ancient of days . . . And He gave Him power and glory, and a kingdom." (St. Thomas Aquinas)
7:10 Let us consider the whole multitude of His angels, how they stand ever ready to minister to His will. (St. Clement of Rome) books were opened: God is said to have books, which is not physical books but spiritual books, that is, the eternal memory in which the names of the elect are kept. (Apringius of Beja)
7:11-12 The Antichrist is the horn, and the body of the beast mentioned is more than likely the Antichrist as well, even though Rome was called a beast above. The Antichrist is referred to as the beast in Revelation 13, and his body given over to be burnt in the fire is mentiond by John in Revelation 19:20. The other beasts is not to be confused with the other empires mentioned above (Babylon, Persians, Greeks) since they were destroyed centuries ago, but they are the other kings who followed the Antichrist, who were not thrown into the the Lake of Fire immediately with the Antichrist, perhaps they are given an extended time to repent.
7:13 The Old Greek Septuagint version has an interesting reading that says that the Son of man is the Ancient of Days, "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, as it were the son of man was coming upon the clouds of heaven. And he came as the Ancient of Days, and the attendants were present with him." This agrees with the similarities between the Ancient of Days in verse 7:9 and that of Christ in Revelation 1:13-14, Dan. 7:9 "his garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like clean wool: his throne like flames of fire: the wheels of it like a burning fire." and Rev. 1:13-14, "in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire." There is also evidence in verse 7:22 that shows the Ancient of Days coming in Person to bring judgment, which resembles what Christ is going to do, not the Father. The reading from the Septuagint could very well be an original reading due to the age of the version and the similarities found in St. John's vision as quoted above, but it is only speculation considering its lack of other evidence to support it. |
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Commentary for the Gospel Reading from the Aquinas Study Bible
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21:29-30 Matthew speaks of the fig-tree only, Luke of all the trees. (St. Ambrose) The fig-tree was very common in Judea; and hence, any allusion to it, or illustration borrowed from it, was quite intelligible. Whenever it put forth its leaves, it was a sign that summer was near. This is accounted for on physical grounds, and is known from experience. (Bishop John McEvilly)
21:32 this generation: Chrysostom (Hom. 77) explains as referring to "the generation of those that believe in Christ." Therefore the state of those who believe in Christ will last until |
the consummation of the world. (St. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica 2.106.4)
21:33 That is, shall be changed, shall cease to be, shall perish, as regards their present state and condition, that they may pass into one which is better, and be glorified with the Saints.
Some are of opinion that at the end of the world the heavens will be changed as regards their form and substance. Of this question I have treated at length on 2 Peter 3:13 and Isa. 34:4. (Cornelius a Lapide) |
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Saturday
November 26
Daniel 7:15-27 - Luke 21:33-36
Commentary for the first reading from the Aquinas Study Bible
| 7:21-22, 25 Along with this passage, these are the principal texts which seem to refer to this last persecution, Dan. 11:31-33; Dan. 12:10,11; Matt. 24:21; Rev. 13:5-8; Rev. 20:1-9. These passages were understood by the early Christians to relate to the Persecution which was to come in the last times; and they seem evidently to bear upon them that meaning. Our Lord's words, indeed, about the fierce trial which was coming, might seem at first sight to refer to the early persecutions, those to which the first Christians were exposed; and doubtless so they do also: yet, violent as these persecutions were, they were not considered by those very men who underwent them to be the proper fulfilment of the prophecy; and this surely is itself a strong reason for thinking they were not so. (John Henry Newman) change times and laws: The Antichrist shall exalt himself to such a height of arrogance as to attempt changing the very laws of God and the sacred rites as well. until a time, and times, and half a time: For it is believed, that during three years and a half, as far as may be conjectured from the prophecy of Daniel and the Revelations of John 11:2, 13:5, the Church is to be attacked. (St. Bede) Well is it for Christians |
that the days are shortened!—shortened for the elect's sake, lest they should be overwhelmed,—shortened, as it would seem, to three years and a half. (John Henry Newman)
7:26 He shall destroy the Antichrist in his body and his soul together, first because of his wickedness, as he is unworthy to be among the people of God, second as an example of God's power, which is able to annihilate visible beings and invisible, and third that sinners may recognize the greatness of God’s grace. (Ishodad of Merv) Then even this is not the last judgment of the wicked; but the last judgment is that which they shall suffer when the bodily resurrection has taken place. (St. Augustine)
7:27 In other words, this is the end of all the affairs of this life, all the empires of earth coming to a close and the eternal kingdom being given to the saints of the Most High, with those in charge obeying and devotely serving Him, since His kingdom is eternal and does not come to an end. (Theodoret of Cyrus) |
Commentary for the Gospel Readings from the Aquinas Study Bible
21:33 That is, shall be changed, shall cease to be, shall perish, as regards their present state and condition, that they may pass into one which is better, and be glorified with the Saints.
Some are of opinion that at the end of the world the heavens will be changed as regards their form and substance. Of this question I have treated at length on 2 Peter 3:13 and Isa. 34:4. (Cornelius a Lapide)
21:34 The cares of this life, debauchery and ebriety, deprive |
men of their senses, obscure their faith, and cause forgetfulness of all that is useful and necessary. They distract the mind, seize hold of it, and absorb it in the cares of this world. (Titus of Bostra)
21:36 And because a Christian needs not only to flee evil, but to strive to obtain glory, He adds, And to stand before the Son of man. For this is the glory of angels, to stand before the Son of man, our God, and always to behold His face. (Theophylact) |
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