Daily Reading November 25, 2013 WORD AMONG US Reading 1 DN 1:1-6, 8-20 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and laid siege to Jerusalem. The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and some of the vessels of the temple of God; he carried them off to the land of Shinar, and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his god. The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood and of the nobility, young men without any defect, handsome, intelligent and wise, quick to learn, and prudent in judgment, such as could take their place in the king’s palace; they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans; after three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service. The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine from the royal table. Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine; so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement. Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king; it is he who allotted your food and drink. If he sees that you look wretched by comparison with the other young men of your age, you will endanger my life with the king.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men who eat from the royal table, and treat your servants according to what you see.” He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. So the steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables. To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all literature and science, and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams. At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. When the king had spoken with all of them, none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and so they entered the king’s service. In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom. . MEDITATION: “Daniel was resolved not to defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8) Daniel and his companions found themselves in exile with a religious and moral quandary before them: do they defile themselves by accepting food and drink that was offered to pagan gods? Or do they face punishment and death at the hands of a foreign king? While the story is ancient, the situation of being at a religious or moral fork in the road is familiar to us. Often, the road we should take is the one less traveled, for the Christian life can put us at odds with the values of the society we live in. Do we continue to trust in God, even when hope fades and walls crash around us? Or do we compromise, just a little, in the hopes of saving our reputation or out of a desire not to rock the boat? While we may not face a life-and-death decision like Daniel, we do make decisions every day that affect our relationship with God and our moral fiber. For example, a businesswoman may choose a course that increases profits but hurts her employees. A lawyer may be tasked with defending a law he doesn’t believe in or a client he knows is guilty. A high school student knows that standing up for her faith could be social suicide. We often know the right thing to do, but we just need the courage to do it. When you feel compromised, try slowing down and seeking out God’s presence. Turn to him in the silence of prayer, in the counsel of someone trustworthy and wise, or in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Try repeating encouraging Scripture verses such as: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Speak candidly about your weaknesses to the Father who created you and loves you. Ask for his strength to help you take that step in the right direction. God himself will come with his angels to support you and help you stay on the path of righteousness. “Lord, I pray for your wisdom, clarity, and courage. Be my strength, and guide me on the way of life.” (Psalm) Daniel 3:52-56; Luke 21:1-4
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 13:29:16 +0000
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