"King Belshazzar gave a great banquet" (Dn 5:1). At this banquet, a hand wrote on the wall. This hand was not part of a body, but was just floating in space. Tomorrow, most of us in the United States will also have a banquet: Thanksgiving dinner. Very likely there will be "handwriting on the wall." For instance, after conversing with your brother-in-law, it's obvious he doesn't know the Lord loves him. Everyone can see your granddaughter's marriage is in trouble, or that Uncle Harry has a drinking problem.

When the handwriting's on the wall, we often either deny it or become anxious and depressed. For example, King Belshazzar's "face blanched; his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook, and his knees knocked" (Dn 5:6). Yet, the Lord doesn't want us overwhelmed by reality, but to face it with faith. We should commit ourselves to praying daily for those whom the Lord has brought to our attention (see 1 Jn 5:16). We should also be open about the problems we observe. We must "profess the truth in love" (Eph 4:15). Most of all, we should speak freely of our love for Jesus. Our focus should not be on our opinions or others' problems, but on Jesus' love.

If by faith we do something about the "handwriting on the wall," the hand will erase its first message and write two more words: "JESUS SAVES."

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Bishop-Elect, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 26, 2011 (for 10-1-2011 through 11-29-2011) and May 26, 2011 (for 11-30-2011)

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