“Then they brought in the golden and silver vessels which had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Immediately, the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the king’s palace wall opposite the lampstand, and the king saw the hand as it wrote.” (Daniel 5:3-6)
Imagine coming home one day to meet your children scrubbing the floor diligently with your most expensive clothing. This was the sin of King Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar, in today’s first reading.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Number 2120: “Sacrilege is profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God.” This includes the church building, sacred vessels, linens, liturgical books, the crucifix, rosaries (and other sacramentals), and items such as the pulpit, chairs, and persons dedicated to God.
Belshazzar knew what those vessels were meant for, but he was trying to challenge the existence of God, and he got what he deserved. Let us examine our hearts: Do I respect sacred vessels, linens, books, and other items used for liturgical worship? Do I even treat the church as God’s house?
On the other hand, do I respect persons who have been consecrated to God? David refused to strike Saul even when he had the opportunity, not because of Saul’s credibility but because David considered him God’s anointed. Is this my attitude to consecrated persons today? A lack of respect for things dedicated to God is a lack of respect for Himself.
In our Gospel passage, Jesus teaches us that tough times don’t last, but tough people do. There would be some sacrifice for our faith; we may have to suffer many things, but as Jesus concludes: “By your endurance, you will gain your lives.”
_*Saint of the Day:*_ Saint Bernard Francis de Hoyos (1711-1735). He was born in Torrelobaton, Spain. He entered the Jesuit novitiate at Villagarcia in 1726 and, just three months later, had his first mystical experience. Then, in early May 1733, during his theology studies, he received his decisive mission from Christ: “I wish for you to spread the devotion to my Sacred Heart throughout all of Spain.” Days later, he obtained the “Great Promise”: “I will reign in Spain with more veneration than in other places.” Through his efforts, devotion to the Sacred Heart became popular throughout Spain. He is acclaimed as the first apostle of the Sacred Heart in Spain.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, deepen my reverence for you. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Bible Study: Daniel 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28, Daniel 3:62-67, Luke 21:12-19).*
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu