Today, the liturgy gives us a slightly scary but ultimately hopeful message centered on three words: Witness , Warning , and Wisdom . First,...
Today, the liturgy gives us a slightly scary but ultimately hopeful message centered on three words: Witness, Warning, and Wisdom.
First, Witness. Jesus speaks plainly in the Gospel: "They will seize and persecute you... you will be handed over... you will be hated." This sounds terrible! But Jesus adds, "It will lead to your giving testimony." In the Philippines, we often celebrate "Red Wednesday" around this time to remember persecuted Christians. Being a Christian isn't just about feeling good; it's about being a witness. Sometimes, that means witnessing through patience when a neighbor gossips about you, or standing for honesty when your boss asks you to cheat. Your suffering is not a punishment; it is a platform for your witness.
Second, Warning. In the First Reading, King Belshazzar is partying, using the sacred cups from God’s Temple for his wine. Suddenly, a hand appears and writes on the wall: Mene, Tekel, Parsin. It was a warning. The King had been "weighed in the balance and found wanting." We often think we can hide our sins—our little corruptions, our secret grudges. But God sees everything. The writing on the wall is a reminder that we are accountable for how we live. Are we using the gifts God gave us for good, or are we partying like Belshazzar, ignoring the poor and mocking the sacred?
Third, Wisdom. How do we survive the judgment and the persecution? Jesus promises: "I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist." We don't need to be geniuses. We don't need to prepare a script. When we are on the side of truth, Jesus supplies the wisdom.
So today, do not be afraid of the world. Heed the warning against arrogance, stand firm as a witness to the truth, and rely on the wisdom of Christ. As Jesus promises in the last line of the Gospel: "By your perseverance, you will secure your lives."
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