Daily Retreat 11/28/07
2007 Nov 28 Wed
Dn 5:1-6. 13-14. 16-17. 23-28/ Dn 3:62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67/ Lk 21:12-19
From today’s readings: “The writing I will read for you, O king, and tell you what it means.... Sun and moon, bless the Lord.... By your perseverance you will secure your lives....”
Reading the Writing on the Wall
Many people are unaware of how many cliches and literary allusions in modern parlance can be traced back to the Bible. In chapter five of the Book of Daniel, we find the origin of the monition to “Read the writing on the wall!” King Belshazzar was faced with a very clear sign (the hand writing on the wall), but the sign needed interpretation (since evidently neither the king nor his counselors could read the three simple words MENE, TEKEL, and PERES because they were written in Aramaic, the vernacular of Daniel and the other Jewish exiles). To King Belshazzar’s credit, he did seek out Daniel to decipher the mysterious message, although by then it was too late!
Whenever a person strays from God, He always sends clear signs to warn of the evil consequences of turning from Him. Such “writing on the wall” is indelibly etched in a properly formed conscience, biblical revelation, and the message of the Church’s Magisterium; it also is often found in providential timely advice from family and friends, or other portents discerned in nature and “coincidental” events. But, as clear as such divine signs are, they can still be summarily ignored by a person bent on resisting and ignoring such grace. On the other hand, when you and I take the time to read (and whatever effort necessary to interpret!) such writing on the wall in our lives, then that divine direction can help us make the necessary changes to turn back to God before it’s too late!
Dn 5:1-6. 13-14. 16-17. 23-28/ Dn 3:62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67/ Lk 21:12-19
From today’s readings: “The writing I will read for you, O king, and tell you what it means.... Sun and moon, bless the Lord.... By your perseverance you will secure your lives....”
Reading the Writing on the Wall
Many people are unaware of how many cliches and literary allusions in modern parlance can be traced back to the Bible. In chapter five of the Book of Daniel, we find the origin of the monition to “Read the writing on the wall!” King Belshazzar was faced with a very clear sign (the hand writing on the wall), but the sign needed interpretation (since evidently neither the king nor his counselors could read the three simple words MENE, TEKEL, and PERES because they were written in Aramaic, the vernacular of Daniel and the other Jewish exiles). To King Belshazzar’s credit, he did seek out Daniel to decipher the mysterious message, although by then it was too late!
Whenever a person strays from God, He always sends clear signs to warn of the evil consequences of turning from Him. Such “writing on the wall” is indelibly etched in a properly formed conscience, biblical revelation, and the message of the Church’s Magisterium; it also is often found in providential timely advice from family and friends, or other portents discerned in nature and “coincidental” events. But, as clear as such divine signs are, they can still be summarily ignored by a person bent on resisting and ignoring such grace. On the other hand, when you and I take the time to read (and whatever effort necessary to interpret!) such writing on the wall in our lives, then that divine direction can help us make the necessary changes to turn back to God before it’s too late!
posted by FrPitstick | 11/27/2007
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