The Writing on the Wall

You may have noticed that the readings have tended to be a bit scary recently.

That is because, as the Church comes to the end of the Liturgical Year, it calls to mind the end of the world.

This is a very important reminder for us all, because it not only reminds us of the end of the world as an event (coming perhaps sooner than we think), but it also reminds us of our own deaths, of how temporary the things of this world are, and of the troubles that may befall us before the end.

In today’s Gospel (Luke 21:12-19), our Lord warns us of persecution, betrayal, and death

In today’s first reading (Daniel 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28), we hear the famous account of the Writing on the Wall. Even today, “the writing on the wall” is a common expression for a warning of doom.

We can also resonate with the reaction of the King to this ominous sign.

His face blanched;
his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook,
and his knees knocked.

Today’s readings are indeed ominous and we may have times in our lives that are very ominous or even painful and deadly, but in today’s Gospel, our Lord ends with these comforting words:

By your perseverance you will save your lives.

This perseverance, of course, is a grace given by God:.

May we always pray for the grace of perseverance and indeed for the grace of final perseverance. May the Lord Jesus be good to us, so that we may come safely through all trials and tribulations with him at our side and so that we may find peace, love, and happiness in him.