The 25th of November, 2021 is Thursday in the Thirty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar of the Year 2021.
Reading 1: DN 6:11-27
The first reading from the Book of Daniel.
Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.
Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king’s decree: “Haven’t you signed a decree that every man who makes a petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered, “This thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter.”
Then they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesn’t respect you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him.
Then these men assembled together to the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.”
A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting. No musical instruments were brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.
Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions.
When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?”
Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!
My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me, because innocence was found in me before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
The king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions-them, their children, and their wives; and the lions mauled them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they came to the bottom of the den.
Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages who dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you.
“I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God, and steadfast forever. His kingdom is that which will not be destroyed. His dominion will be even to the end.
He delivers and rescues. He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”_”_”
Responsorial Psalm: DN 3:68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74
Response: “Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
“O you dews and storms of snow, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
R: “Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
“O you nights and days, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
R: “Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
“O you light and darkness, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
R: “Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
“O you cold and heat, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
R: “Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
“O you frost and snow, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
R: “Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
“O you lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
R: “Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
“O let the earth bless the Lord! Let it praise and exalt him above all forever!”
R: “Praise and exalt him above all forever!”
Gospel of the Day: LK 21:20-28
From the gospel scripture according to Luke.
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein.
For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath to this people.
They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; men fainting for fear and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”
Other Celebration
You can also check out the Thanksgiving Day reading. An optional celebration on this day is the Memorial of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr.
