Sometimes God speaks

We have skipped the famous fiery furnace story and the story of King Nebuchadnezzar lived like a beast. King Nebuchadnezzar had died and his son King Belshazzar succeeded him.
One day, he was feasting with his lords, wives, concubines and many others. He ordered golden and silver vessels be brought out from the Jerusalem Temple and used them to drink wine. Of course, God was angry with this blasphemous behaviour. God wrote 4 Hebrew Words on the wall and took immediate actions after the banquet. King Belshazzar died that night. Darius succeeded him.

King Belshazzar had asked other magicians, enchanters and astrologers to explain the words on the wall. None could do it. Then somebody reminded the King of the capabilities of Daniel. When Daniel arrived, he was more like a teacher than a subject of the King. He explained how the king's father became a powerful king and had fallen from God's grace and lived like an animal.
And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,
but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored (Daniel 5:22-23).
Then Daniel proceeded to explain the meaning of those words.

God is not always silent. Sometimes He speaks in His own strange ways. But most of the time, we can find His words in the Bible. Many people think that they are able to interpret what the Bible says without consulting experts. They believe that the Holy Spirit is residing in them. Therefore, they are able to interpret the Bible themselves. Today, the story of Daniel, once and for all, dispels this faulty appeal to the Holy Spirit. In order to interpret God's words correctly, we need to seek the help of experts. The Church is one such expert.
Many people are not willing to submit themselves to the teaching authority of the Church. They don't like her conservative stance, her insistence on her own authority, her role as the custodian of the Truth etc. Perhaps the Church is inadequate in reflecting the true face of Christ to the world. People simply do not see this community of believers make up the Mystic Body of Christ. The Church should put more effort in galvanizing her words and deeds. The salvation of many depends on whether the Church is being respected.

Dear Lord, I pray for those who dedicate their whole life to serve You. May their service nourish Your flock as well as themselves. I pray for Rita who was born on the same day I was born. She returned to You early this morning. May her soul find peace in You. Amen.

Appendix:

וּדְנָה כְתָבָ‍א דִּי רְשִׁים מְנֵא מְנֵא תְּקֵל וּפַרְסִין

And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. (Daniel 5:25)

דְּנָה פְּשַׁר־מִלְּתָ‍א מְנֵא מְנָה־אֱלָהָ‍א מַלְכוּתָךְ וְהַשְׁלְמַהּ

This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; (Daniel 5:26) 

תְּקֵל תְּקִילְתָּה בְמֹאזַנְיָ‍א וְהִשְׁתְּכַחַתְּ חַסִּיר

TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; (Danile 5:27)

פְּרֵס פְּרִיסַת מַלְכוּתָךְ וִיהִיבַת לְמָדַי וּפָרָס

PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:28)