The Daily: Friday November 22, 2024

Daily Lectionary Reading: Psalm 16 (NRSV, The Message); Daniel 4:19-27 (NRSV, The Message); Colossians 2:6-15 (NRSV, The Message)

At first Daniel, who had been renamed Belteshazzar in Babylon, was upset. The thoughts that came swarming into his mind terrified him.

“Belteshazzar,” the king said, “stay calm. Don’t let the dream and its interpretation scare you.”

“My master,” said Belteshazzar, “I wish this dream were about your enemies and its interpretation for your foes.                                     Daniel 4:19

"The thoughts that came swarming into his mind terrified him." Truth can be a difficult thing to hold, and it can be a difficult thing to share. However, after we know the truth, we must share it, even if it will lead to diffiuclt outcomes. We share it with presence, we share it with compassion, but we do ourselves and others no favors by withholding it.