💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 26 💖

First Reading - Daniel 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28

Gospel - Luke 21:12-19

There are times when life forces us to look honestly at what we are building—whether we are building on what lasts, or on what will eventually crumble. Today’s readings invite us to take such an honest look, reminding us that a life rooted in God stands firm even when the world trembles.

In the first reading, King Belshazzar is celebrating with a lavish feast. He feels untouchable, secure, and proud. In the height of his arrogance, he takes the sacred vessels from the Temple—objects meant for worship—and uses them for his own pleasure. It is a moment that shows how far his heart has drifted from reverence and truth.

Then, suddenly, a mysterious hand writes on the wall. All his confidence collapses. The man who thought he controlled everything cannot even understand the message in front of him. Daniel is brought in, not because he is powerful, but because he is faithful. And he speaks with honesty: Belshazzar had used God’s gifts without honoring God Himself. The writing on the wall reveals that the king’s kingdom, and even his life, had been weighed and found wanting.

Then Jesus, in the Gospel, speaks to His disciples about the hardships they will face—persecution, rejection, accusations, and fear. He does not hide the truth: following Him will not be easy, and the world will not always understand their faith. But He gives them a promise deeper than any fear:

“Not a hair of your head will be lost. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Jesus is not promising an easy path; He is promising a strong foundation. A life rooted in Him can withstand storms, pressures, and trials. What looks fragile becomes unbreakable when held by God.

Dear friends, a life built on pride collapses, but a life built on faith endures. Belshazzar trusted his power, his status, his comfort—and all of it faded. The disciples are invited to trust Jesus, whose presence remains even when everything else is shaken.

These readings gently turn us toward our own lives.

Where do we place our confidence?

What do we rely on for security—success, reputation, comfort, control?

Are there places where we treat God’s gifts casually, or forget the One who gave them?

And on the other hand:

Where might God be inviting us to persevere?

Where is He calling us to stay faithful even when things are difficult, misunderstood, or uncertain?

Belshazzar shows us what happens when a life drifts away from truth. The disciples show us the strength that comes from holding on to God through every trial. One life collapses; the other endures.

So today, may we build our lives not on shifting foundations, but on the God who never fails. May we honor Him in all we do, keep faith in the face of challenges, and trust that perseverance in His name leads not to loss, but to true and lasting life.