The dream that Daniel interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar was fearsome. Using symbols, it described all of the pagan kingdoms and empires. The images were made of gold, silver, bronze, and iron, all of diminishing worth. And the feet were made of clay - how often we have heard that expression!

Regardless of how powerful a person or thing might appear to be, many have feet of clay - a fatal weakness.

Finally, all are smashed to pieces by a huge stone not cut by human hands. In the interpretation, Daniel gives bad news to the king and all earthly powers. God's justice is coming! The early Church interpreted the stone not cut by hands as Jesus Christ, who will sweep the earth clean of all powers opposed to God. Welcome news in our time!

The Apostles were admiring the temple's beauty, grandeur, and size, but Jesus warned them that all would be destroyed. Do not cling to earthly powers, institutions, structures, or values - all will be swept aside. This foretold what happened in 70 AD - the temple and Jerusalem were both destroyed. Our faith and trust must be in God and in Jesus alone. The Kingdom of God is within us, and our citizenship is in heaven.