Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions
November 24, 2021
Daily Reading from the USCCB: Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
Another story about Daniel’s wisdom. King Belshazzar is putting the vessels from the Jerusalem temple to profane uses. In response to this sacrilegious behavior, a ghastly hand appears writing on the wall. Daniel is the only one who can interpret the fearsome hand’s message.
Its message is that Belshazzar has glorified false gods. The kingdom of Belshazzar has therefore come to an end. He has been found wanting. The next development–not given in the Lectionary–is that on that very night the king was killed and his kingdom handed over to others.
In this narrative Daniel speaks for the Lord. God calls every earthly king to accounting. He brings the mighty to justice before him. No earthly power lasts forever. That’s still so today.
