Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Surprise


The WORD today reminds me that God will surprise us, especially when we least expect it. 

In the first reading, we see a powerful man in the sense of the world. King Belshazzar gave a banquet. He is powerful and influential, and he is enjoying it. He is having the time of his life when suddenly, God surprised him. He saw a vision, and he was disturbed. Eventually he had Daniel interpret it

God will come when we least expect it – and we cannot deny the state of our hearts when he sees it.

We eventually saw through Daniel that the king was not living right. The king has rebelled against God. He disrespected God and worshipped worldly possessions – gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. All things that are in the world. Beautiful but useless. We see what he considers important when he told Daniel that he will be given gifts, money and power if he can interpret the dream. This shows that these things are really important for him. and he thinks these are the things other people consider important as well

Sometimes, we feel that God is silent, but his silence does not mean his approval. He is always watching.

The king may have been able to live wickedly for a while. He may have thought he was unstoppable. However, God sees us. And in his perfect time, he will come. And he will catch us doing what our heart contains and not what we project to other people. He may be silent, but that does not mean he approves wickedness. Sometimes he is just giving us a chance to repent and come to our senses. But when we refuse to, if we continue to ignore him, then he will come and judge us. 

This is a good reminder and encouragement for us, especially this pandemic. We see people in power abuse their position to get more power and more money. Corruption even in pandemic. Wrong values and tolerance by those in authority. We feel frustrated that they are unstoppable. But God sees. And he takes note. Likewise, this reminds us to just do our part, because even if evil people prosper, it will not be forever. 

How do I feel about this pandemic? Do I help other people? Do I feel frustrated and complain about people in power and authority? Do I feel helpless? What is God reminding me today?

May we never equate God’s silence to his approval, and be aware that when God surprises us, we cannot deny the state of our lives. And we will be punished, or rewarded, as we deserve.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I think your silence means your approval. Sorry for the times I try to get awy with bad things and think it’s okay since you seem to be silent. Sorry for all my excuses. Help me always live right. Help me listen to your small voice. Help me live pleasing to you. So that when you come to surprise me, it will be a happy occasion – the start of eternity with you. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps
See related reflection:


Daily Readings

Memorial of Saint Andrew Dŭng-Ląc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

Lectionary: 505

King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his lords,
with whom he drank.
Under the influence of the wine,
he ordered the gold and silver vessels
which Nebuchadnezzar, his father,
had taken from the temple in Jerusalem,
to be brought in so that the king, his lords,
his wives and his entertainers might drink from them.
When the gold and silver vessels
taken from the house of God in Jerusalem had been brought in,
and while the king, his lords, his wives and his entertainers
were drinking wine from them,
they praised their gods of gold and silver,
bronze and iron, wood and stone.

Suddenly, opposite the lampstand,
the fingers of a human hand appeared,
writing on the plaster of the wall in the king’s palace.
When the king saw the wrist and hand that wrote, his face blanched;
his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook,
and his knees knocked.

Then Daniel was brought into the presence of the king.
The king asked him, “Are you the Daniel, the Jewish exile,
whom my father, the king, brought from Judah?
I have heard that the Spirit of God is in you,
that you possess brilliant knowledge and extraordinary wisdom.
I have heard that you can interpret dreams and solve difficulties;
if you are able to read the writing and tell me what it means,
you shall be clothed in purple,
wear a gold collar about your neck,
and be third in the government of the kingdom.”

Daniel answered the king:
“You may keep your gifts, or give your presents to someone else;
but the writing I will read for you, O king,
and tell you what it means.
You have rebelled against the Lord of heaven.
You had the vessels of his temple brought before you,
so that you and your nobles, your wives and your entertainers,
might drink wine from them;
and you praised the gods of silver and gold,
bronze and iron, wood and stone,
that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence.
But the God in whose hand is your life breath
and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify.

By him were the wrist and hand sent, and the writing set down.

“This is the writing that was inscribed:
MENE, TEKEL, and PERES.
These words mean:
MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it;
TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting;
PERES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

R.    (59b) Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Sun and moon, bless the Lord;
    praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.    Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Stars of heaven, bless the Lord;
    praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.    Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Every shower and dew, bless the Lord;
    praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.    Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“All you winds, bless the Lord;
    praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.    Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Fire and heat, bless the Lord;
    praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.    Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Cold and chill, bless the Lord;
    praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.    Give glory and eternal praise to him. 

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”


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