Respond with Gratitude and Grace

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to live with gratitude and grace as we confront the persecution from people and politics who are unable to respond to today’s “writing on the wall”

Correct the “writing on the wall”

The Reading from the Book of Daniel shares interpretation of the Writing on the Wall.

* [5:2] Nebuchadnezzar, his father: between Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar several kings ruled in Babylon. Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, and he acted as regent in Babylon during his father’s absence.

* [5:25] MENE, TEKEL, and PERES: these seem to be the Aramaic names of weights and monetary values: the mina, the shekel (the sixtieth part of a mina), and the parsu (a half-mina).

* [5:26–28] Daniel interprets these three terms by a play on the words: MENE, connected with the verb meaning to number; TEKEL, with the verb meaning to weigh; PERES, with the verb meaning to divide. There is also a play on the last term with the word for Persians. (Daniel, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Daniel 3 are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel,

* [3:24–90] These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures. (Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke foretells The Coming Persecution.

* [21:12] Before all this happens…: to Luke and his community, some of the signs of the end just described (Lk 21:10–11) still lie in the future. Now in dealing with the persecution of the disciples (Lk 21:12–19) and the destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21:20–24) Luke is pointing to eschatological signs that have already been fulfilled.

* [21:15] A wisdom in speaking: literally, “a mouth and wisdom.” (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche researched today’s texts and comments that Jesus warns us of hard times. Jesus is telling him to have endurance, to remain under the command in battle to “hold the line.”

He says I will have the opportunity to testify, not by words. I will testify by holding the line. The endurance through trial itself is the witness. People are watching, and my example is God’s message. Like Zig Ziglar is fond of saying, “What you do speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you are saying.” How am I to endure? I am to endure with gratitude and praise, just like the three in the furnace. (Dyche, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “The faithful Christian is recognized by belief in the resurrection of the body,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We should have no doubt that our mortal flesh also will rise again at the end of the world... This is the Christian faith. This is the Catholic faith. This is the apostolic faith. Believe Christ when he says, 'Not a hair of your head shall perish' Putting aside all unbelief, consider how valuable you are. How can our Redeemer despise any person when he cannot despise a hair of that person's head? How are we going to doubt that he intends to give eternal life to our soul and body? He took on a soul and body in which to die for us, which he laid down for us when he died and which he took up again that we might not fear death." (excerpt from Sermon 214.11-12) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28 comments that we still need to be on guard lest we fall into other forms of rebellion.

Today, ask the Spirit to search your heart and show you if there are any ways you are “rebelling” against God or his will for you. If you detect something, ask him for forgiveness and the grace to start anew. His mercy is always available whenever you stray.

God’s message is not just handwriting on a wall. It’s the good news of a crucified and risen Savior! By his grace, you don’t have to rebel. You can be a faithful and devoted servant who loves Jesus, listens for his voice, and does the Father’s will.

“Jesus, help me to follow you all the days of my life.” (Meditation on Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Daniel 5 is the story of the son of Nebuchadnezzar who uses the sacred vessels  in Babylon in 539 BCE to proclaim that Seleucid persecution in 155 BCE would end. The text contains some historic inaccuracies. Daniel gets the name of the king of Babylon at that time wrong. He wanted to proclaim that the Seleucid persecution would come to an end. The Gospel of Luke notes that Christians will be persecuted and even handed over by relatives. Friar Jude suggests that a time of great tribulation may be in everyday life in a society that does not accept our values as we respond to carry the Cross each day.

Fr. Mike Schmitz breaks down Saul's miraculous conversion, explaining the significance of Jesus sending Ananias to heal Saul, and how it reveals that Jesus works through his Church just as powerfully as he worked through the incarnation. Fr. Mike also reminds us that if we belong to the Lord, we will have to participate in his suffering. Lastly, as we conclude St. Paul's letter to the Romans, Fr. Mike leaves us with the exhortation that the Gospel advances primarily through family and friendship. Today's readings are Acts 9, Romans 15-16, and Proverbs 27:18-20.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian Christine D. Pohl who describes how gratitude impacts our relationships with others. When our lives are shaped by gratitude, we’re more likely to notice the goodness and beauty in everyday things. We are content; we feel blessed and are eager to confer blessing. We are able to delight in the very existence of another human being.

When we more fully understand the grace we’ve received, we are able to turn outward in gratitude and generosity. Gratitude becomes “our home in the presence of God,” or, in Henri Nouwen’s words, an “intimate participation in the Divine Life itself” that “reaches out far beyond our own self to God, to all of creation, to the people who gave us life, love, and care.” [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We thank the Spirit for the Wisdom to practice “gratitude and affirmation” as our response to the events of the day as we follow the Way.

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/3?62 

Daniel, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/5?1 

Dyche, G. (2025, November 26). Daily Reflection November 26, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved November 26, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-26-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?12 

Meditation on Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 26, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/26/1435452/ 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Gratitude, Grace, and Relationship. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 26, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/gratitude-grace-and-relationship/  

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Not a Hair of Your Head Will Perish. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 26, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Prophecy and Endurance

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to find full life in relationship with Jesus as we ponder the “writing on the wall.”

Writing on the Wall

The reading from the Book of Daniel describes Belshazzar’s Feast and The Writing on the Wall.

* [5:2] Nebuchadnezzar, his father: between Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar several kings ruled in Babylon. Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, and he acted as regent in Babylon during his father’s absence.

* [5:25] MENE, TEKEL, and PERES: these seem to be the Aramaic names of weights and monetary values: the mina, the shekel (the sixtieth part of a mina), and the parsu (a half-mina).

* [5:26–28] Daniel interprets these three terms by a play on the words: MENE, connected with the verb meaning to number; TEKEL, with the verb meaning to weigh; PERES, with the verb meaning to divide. There is also a play on the last term with the word for Persians. (Daniel, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)

The response psalm is from Daniel 3 of Wednesday November 29, 2023

* [3:24–90] These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures.

* [3:25] Azariah: i.e., Abednego; cf. Dn 1:7. (Daniel, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus urges endurance in persecution.

* [21:12] Before all this happens…: to Luke and his community, some of the signs of the end just described (Lk 21:10–11) still lie in the future. Now in dealing with the persecution of the disciples (Lk 21:12–19) and the destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21:20–24) Luke is pointing to eschatological signs that have already been fulfilled.

* [21:15] A wisdom in speaking: literally, “a mouth and wisdom.” (Luke, CHAPTER 21, n.d.)

Gladyce Janky tries to imagine the reactions of the people after hearing Jesus proclaim they will seize and persecute you..because of my name. 

Following a brief silence, one of the women speaks up.  I choose not to run or live in fear.  Since I started listening to Jesus, I feel more peaceful and hopeful.  If I leave, I might feel empty and hopeless.  My choice is to use my talents to help others.  Remember the story of the Samaritan?  That is how I want to live, gifting joy and a sense of community to those around me, even if they are not part of my tribe.  I will rely on Jesus to give me the wisdom to know what to do if someone opposes me.  And let’s not forget what He said at the end: although we will die, we with perseverance we will secure a place for ourselves in God’s Kingdom. (Janky, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The faithful Christian is recognized by belief in the resurrection of the body,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We should have no doubt that our mortal flesh also will rise again at the end of the world... This is the Christian faith. This is the Catholic faith. This is the apostolic faith. Believe Christ when he says, 'Not a hair of your head shall perish' Putting aside all unbelief, consider how valuable you are. How can our Redeemer despise any person when he cannot despise a hair of that person's head? How are we going to doubt that he intends to give eternal life to our soul and body? He took on a soul and body in which to die for us, which he laid down for us when he died and which he took up again that we might not fear death." (excerpt from Sermon 214.11-12) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 21:12-19 comments that this gift of eternal life is at the very heart of the gospel. It’s the promise embedded in every one of Jesus’ miracles. It’s the core truth behind all his parables and sermons. It’s the animating principle of the Beatitudes and the reason why Jesus embraced the suffering of the cross. He did it all so that we could live forever.

So today, ask yourself, “Where is my faith in the resurrection?” But even more, ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the promise of eternal life. Let him convince you that what Jesus promised to the disciples is true for you as well: not a hair on your head will be destroyed.

“All praise to you, Jesus! You have conquered death forever!” (Meditation on Luke 21:12-19, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler shares the action of Daniel at the King’s Banquet where the words on the wall foretell the destruction of Babylon. The text was written during the Seleucid persecution of Israel. Friar Jude comments that the Gospel resonates with “they will kill us but never harm us” as we try to do our best to trust in God even in impossible situations.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, has long drawn comfort and wisdom from the writings of the young Jewish woman Etty Hillesum (1914–1943), believing her to be a voice of inspiration for our times. Shortly before her departure for internment at the Westerbork transit camp, Hillesum wrote in her journal:

Something has crystallised. I have looked our destruction, our miserable end which has already begun in so many small ways in our daily life, straight in the eye and accepted it into my life, and my love of life has not been diminished. I am not bitter or rebellious, or in any way discouraged. I continue to grow from day to day, even with the likelihood of destruction staring me in the face. I shall no longer flirt with words, for words merely evoke misunderstandings: I have come to terms with life.…

By “coming to terms with life” I mean: the reality of death has become a definite part of my life; my life has, so to speak, been extended by death, by my looking death in the eye and accepting it, by accepting destruction as part of life and no longer wasting my energies on fear of death or the refusal to acknowledge its inevitability. It sounds paradoxical: by excluding death from our life we cannot live a full life, and by admitting death into our life we enlarge and enrich [life]. [2] (Rohr, 2023)

We seek the consolation of the Spirit as we wrestle with the mystery of death and our living in fullness of life.

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/3 

Daniel, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/5?1 

Janky, G. (2023, November 29). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112923.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 21. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?12 

Meditation on Luke 21:12-19. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/29/839043/ 

Rohr, R. (2023, June 16). Always in God’s Presence. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/always-in-gods-presence/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov29 

Words of Wisdom

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate our path as  Christians as counter cultural along which we have Words of the Spirit to guide us.

Guide along the Way

 

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel describes Belshazzar’s Feast and the writing on the wall  for his kingdom.

* [5:26–28] Daniel interprets these three terms by a play on the words: MENE, connected with the verb meaning to number; TEKEL, with the verb meaning to weigh; PERES, with the verb meaning to divide. There is also a play on the last term with the word for Persians.1

 

The response from the Book of Daniel is from the Prayer of Azariah.

* [3:24–90] These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures.2

 

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus reveals the support from the Spirit in the coming persecution.

* [21:15] A wisdom in speaking: literally, “a mouth and wisdom.”3

 

Julie Kalkowski comments that it was easy for her to judge the King’s actions all those years ago. Just because we have the power and the ability to do something, doesn’t mean we have the right to do so. How do we remember to whom we belong, so our actions don’t go “beyond the pale”?

Due to circumstances of my birth, I don’t need God the way many of the people I work with do. When your life mostly works, it’s easier to forget about God on a day-to-day basis. To help me remember God’s goodness in my life and to whom I belong to on this day before Thanksgiving (in the U.S.), I am going to take stock and remember in gratitude all the blessings God has showered on me and my loved ones. After that I will endeavor to emulate G.K. Chesterton who, in striving to take nothing for granted, wrote: " …everything received in gratitude; everything passed on with grace."4

 

Don Schwager quotes “The faithful Christian is recognized by belief in the resurrection of the body,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We should have no doubt that our mortal flesh also will rise again at the end of the world... This is the Christian faith. This is the Catholic faith. This is the apostolic faith. Believe Christ when he says, 'Not a hair of your head shall perish' Putting aside all unbelief, consider how valuable you are. How can our Redeemer despise any person when he cannot despise a hair of that person's head? How are we going to doubt that he intends to give eternal life to our soul and body? He took on a soul and body in which to die for us, which he laid down for us when he died and which he took up again that we might not fear death." (excerpt from Sermon 214.11-12)5 

Friar Jude Winkler connects the interpretation given during Belshazzar’s Feast to the decline of the Seleucid Empire in the first century BCE. We pay the price required of change in our conversion as followers of Christ. Friar Jude suggests that without experiencing some persecution in our lives, we may not be Christian enough.

 

The Franciscan Media article on Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions comments that Christianity came to Vietnam through the Portuguese. Jesuits opened the first permanent mission at Da Nang in 1615. They ministered to Japanese Catholics who had been driven from Japan. The last of the martyrs were 17 laypersons, one of them a 9-year-old, executed in 1862. By 1954, there were over a million Catholics—about seven percent of the population—in the north. Buddhists represented about 60 percent. Persistent persecution forced some 670,000 Catholics to abandon lands, homes and possessions and flee to the south. In 1964, there were still 833,000 Catholics in the north, but many were in prison. In the south, Catholics were enjoying the first decade of religious freedom in centuries, their numbers swelled by refugees.

It may help people who associate Vietnam only with a 20th-century war to realize that the cross has long been a part of the lives of the people of that country. Even as some people ask again the unanswered questions about United States involvement and disengagement, the faith rooted in Vietnam’s soil proves hardier than the forces that willed to destroy it.7 

Words from Psalm 90 mark a significant milestone in my Life.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes Carl Jung’s concept of the shadow and how it is present in Jesus’ teachings. The ego wants to eliminate all humiliating or negative information in order to “look good” at all costs. Jesus calls this self an “actor,” a word he uses fifteen times in Matthew’s Gospel, though it is usually translated from the Greek as “hypocrite.” The ego wants to keep us tied to easy and acceptable levels of knowledge. It does not want us going down into the “personal unconscious” or, in Jung’s term, our “shadow self.” The shadow includes all those things about ourselves that we don’t want to see, are not yet ready to see, and don’t want others to see. We try to hide or deny this shadow, most especially from ourselves.

Note that Jesus does not just praise good moral behavior and criticize immoral behavior, as a lesser teacher might. Instead, he talks about something caught in the eye. He knows that if we see rightly, our actions and behaviors will eventually take care of themselves. God wastes nothing and includes everything. The God of the Bible is best known for transmuting and transforming our shadow selves into our own more perfect good. God brings us—often through failure—from unconsciousness to ever-deeper consciousness and conscience. I doubt if there is any other way. All the rest is mere self-validation.8 

The lifelong journey following Jesus invites us to accept the Cross as essential to our transformation and fullness of Life.

 

References

 

1	(n.d.). Daniel, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/5
2	(n.d.). Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/3
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112421.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2021&date=nov24
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/11/24/252758/
7	(n.d.). Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions | Franciscan Media. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-andrew-dung-lac-and-companions
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: 2021 - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from https://cac.org/shadow-work-in-the-gospels-2021-11-24/