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| “Belshazzar's Feast” by Harmenszoon van Rijn Rembrandt, 1635 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
Commentary on Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
In this reading from the Book of Daniel the son of Nebuchadnezzar (actually a crown prince), Belshazzar profanes the spoils of the Temple in Jerusalem at a huge party. In the midst of the revelry the vision of a hand writes words on the wall that none of the court scholars or wise men can interpret. At that point, Daniel is brought in and offered a huge reward to interpret the writing. He declines the reward and tells the prince how the words are interpreted.
The words written, Mene, Tekel, and Peres, according to scholars, are Aramaic names for weights and monetary values: “the mina, the shekel (the sixtieth part of a mina), and the parsu (a half-mina).” Daniel’s interpretation plays on these words. “Mene, (is) 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.” [4]
The underlying meaning we take from this story is the vision of the God of Justice who, in the eyes of the faithful, rejects those who reject him, and that structures built upon such greed will not stand. In the full text of this chapter this meaning is punctuated by the death of Belshazzar who is slain the night of the party.
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Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3:62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67
R. (59b) Give glory and eternal praise to him.
Commentary on Dn 3:62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67
The selection from Daniel, used as a psalm response, is once more taken from the chant by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they defy death in the furnace. This long hymn of praise (from verse 24 to verse 90) is is broken into three litanies. This is part of the first. It praises God's creation in the world. Subsequent sections praise all that grows upon the earth and finally humankind in its various categories.
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Gospel: Luke 21:12-19
Commentary on Lk 21:12-19
The apocalyptic discourse from St. Luke’s Gospel continues as Jesus, who has just predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, now tells the crowd that this does not mean the end time has come. He predicts the great persecutions that will take place. The subject of how the Gospel message will divide families is once more brought up. The Lord informs those present that persecution will take place within families as well as in society at large.
The Gospel being proclaimed by the Lord's followers will result in persecution from every side for the early Christian community. Jesus foresees this time of intense persecution and asks for a steadfast response. By not preparing a defense, he is asking that those persecuted not recant the faith and promises them the reward of the martyrs. The passage concludes with a restatement of the promise of salvation for those who remain faithful: “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
CCC: Lk 21:12 675
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Reflection:
The lesson we take away from these scripture selections is that the foundation of whatever we build in our lives must be securely grounded in our faith values. If we examine what has transpired in the reading and psalm response from Daniel, we see a clear picture unfolding. King Nebuchadnezzar is seen by the early Hebrews as being a destructive force that God allowed to capture and sack Jerusalem and the Temple. Essentially, he is viewed as an instrument of punishment for the faithlessness of the people.
King Nebuchadnezzar’s actions, in the view of the authors of Daniel, go too far. The spoils of the Temple of Jerusalem are taken to the king’s son, Belshazzar, who profanes them by using the Temple
The moral we take away from this story is tempered by the New Covenant. When the Lord came, he showed us a new vision of God. Indeed, that was a major purpose in his coming. He revealed a Father who is loving and merciful. Through our new understanding we see Nebuchadnezzar as a godless barbarian whose cruelty and debauchery earned him the rewards of what was sown, as do all the servants of the Evil One. Created with free will, Belshazzar established a moral environment in which his own death was assured. But the lesson is not lost on us. We see how important it is to stay firmly grounded in Christ. If we fall prey to human weakness and profane that which is holy, we too walk in the steps of those who tread in darkness.
Today our prayer is that all we accomplish may be held up for God’s greater glory and that with great care, we will keep all that is sacred and holy safe from the poison of sin.
Pax
[1] The picture is “Belshazzar's Feast” by Harmenszoon van Rijn Rembrandt, 1635
[4] See NAB footnote on Daniel 5:25
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