From today’s reading...
I pleaded with Yahweh my God and made this confession: ‘O my Lord, God great and to be feared, you keep the covenant and show faithful love towards those who love you and who observe your commandments: we have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly, we have betrayed your commandments and rulings and turned away from them.’” Daniel 9:4-5
We’re knee-deep into Lent, so it makes sense that all of today’s readings deal with confession, repentance, and forgiveness.
But focusing on Daniel, which means “God is my judge” in Aramaic and Hebrew, remember he was of noble lineage, maybe a prince, and was taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
Daniel was given a position of authority in King Darius’s court after the defeat of Nebuchadnezzar, which is when we read the story of Daniel being thrown to the lions by jealous rivals.
As you might imagine, Daniel was pious in how he lived his life.
He stayed true to his Jewish customs and laws, despite being in a foreign land surrounded by a people who were against him, you know, kind of like a Christian at a PTA meeting.
He was also honest and loyal, even as a slave.
While being a slave in another country is not a life any of us would choose, God blessed Daniel with the ability to interpret dreams and prophesy, which kept him in good stead with the kings he served.
However, Daniel was troubled by his visions, and he took it upon himself to repent for his people, the Jews, which we read today.
That’s the sign of a true leader: he stays true to his promises; he looks out for his people; he loves the Lord, even in the face of death, which is the only way to...
Stay the course.
Keep the faith.
Endure.
Now go sell something.