Today's first reading shows a human hand writing God's message upon a wall, as it were, writing "graffiti" to the King (see Dn 5:5). The King could not stop the hand from writing (see 2 Tm 2:9).
Last Thursday was the holiday of Thanksgiving in the USA. Many of you gathered with family members for a festive dinner. Perhaps there were people present who did not believe in God and were vocal in opposing any thanks being offered to God at all.
Jesus says in today's Gospel: "I bid you resolve not to worry about your defense beforehand, for I will give you words and a wisdom which none of your adversaries can take exception to or contradict" (Lk 21:14-15). You may be in a situation where you are not even allowed to speak. In that case, radiate Christ's love through Your lifestyle of faith (Mt 5:16).
Be encouraged that even though you may feel "silenced" by some loved ones on the topic of God, the Lord Himself is testifying to them. He is able to write graffiti messages to them that they cannot ignore. Perhaps he may speak through your faithful lifestyle or through the grandeur of His creation (Rm 1:19-20).
Jesus is the Word of God (Jn 1:14). He is writing His messages even to those who have thus far been ignoring Him. His messages are "living and effective," and reach even the most closed hearts (Heb 4:12-13).
| PRAYER: | Father, let Your love flow through me to those who do not believe in You. |
| PROMISE: | "By patient endurance you will save your lives." –Lk 21:19 |
| PRAISE: | After three years of friendship with a neighbor who was away from the Lord, Margaret led her back to Christ. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College