Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

REFLECTION:

The vision of Daniel shows four great beasts rising from the sea—each one stranger, darker, and more terrifying than the one before. Their descriptions alone are enough to give anyone nightmares. I’m sure if any of us had this same vision, we’d wake up in the middle of the night sweating bullets… and probably sleep with the lights on. These images are meant to shake us, to remind us that there are forces in our world—and sometimes in our own lives—that feel wild, uncontrollable, and frightening.

But Daniel’s vision doesn’t end with the beasts. Suddenly the scene shifts. Another figure appears—not monstrous, but majestic: the Ancient of Days. Clothed in garments white as snow, seated on a throne of burning flame, surrounded by countless attendants. It is still an overwhelming image, but this time the fear is different. This is not horror… this is holy power, divine majesty, the One who rules over all things.

The beasts represent everything that threatens us: chaos, oppression, uncertainty, and the fears that paralyze us. They are the things that make us feel small and helpless. But Daniel is shown something essential: God is greater than every beast.

The Ancient of Days does not panic. He simply sits, judges, and establishes order over the chaos. The message is clear:

Our fears may shake us, but they do not shake God. The beasts may roar, but they do not reign.

Fear can trap us in place. Fear can stop us from moving, growing, trusting. But God has the power to bring order to our chaos, clarity to our confusion, and peace to the storms within us. Do not fear the beasts—have hope in God.

One example I can think of is when I was assigned to Sacred Heart Church and Maryknoll School. I’ll be honest: not many priests want a parish with a school—especially the largest parochial school in the diocese. To many, it is a beast: a massive responsibility, a demanding workload, a place with a big reputation and even bigger expectations. It would be easy to look at a parish-school combination and feel anxious, hesitant, or overwhelmed. But as Daniel teaches, you can look at the beast… or you can look at God. You can focus on the fear… or you can trust in the One who has “dominion, glory, and kingship.”

When we rely on our own strength, the beast looks too big. When we rely on God’s strength, the beast is conquered before the battle even begins.

This assignment—this parish, this school—could have been an obstacle. Instead, God has turned it into a mission, a blessing, and a place of grace. Not because the beast disappeared, but because God is greater than anything that intimidates us.

Whatever beasts appear in your life—uncertainty, change, fear of failure, overwhelming responsibilities—remember Daniel’s vision. The beasts rise from the chaos, but God sits upon the throne. His kingdom is everlasting. His power is unmatched. His love is constant.

So don’t fear the beasts. Have confidence in the One who conquers them. And walk forward knowing that God’s dominion, not chaos, is the final word.