“He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest...”– Luke 21:3

Imagine losing everything in the worst possible way — no more house, no more money, your family is either killed, maimed or enslaved in front of you, nothing that you are or own matters anymore, you’re thrown into the streets, and you’re made a slave of a tyrant.

    In today’s readings, that is exactly what happened to Daniel, his companions and the widow. None of them chose the situation they were in — Daniel and his friends were now slaves, and the widow, having lost her family, was now a beggar for life.

       But more than having anguish in common, they also had a strong faith, a living hope and a firm devotion to the Lord. Consider that even in their situation, (a) none of them complained or blamed God for their circumstances, (b) consistently, they showed nothing but conviction, and (c) compared to others who had freedom or riches or both, these people who had very little still exceeded expectations in what they did for the Lord.

       They were blessed for their faith and they have blessed us with their example. They are “giants” to emulate indeed. Rod Velez (rod.velez@gmail.com)

Reflection: If you were in Daniel’s situation, would you continue to be faithful? What do you think it means to be “poor of the Lord”?

Lord, You know better the deficiencies in my faith; take them all away and make me whole. For Your greater honor and glory. Amen.

St. Clement I, pope and martyr, pray for us.

Daniel chose what he will and will not accept from the king. He wanted to be faithful to God and at the same time serve the king and his people. The peaceful relationship did not last. The king had disturbing dreams and Daniel’s interpretation of them displeased the king and turned him against Daniel. This is the nature of the truth — it disturbs those who do not live it.

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and laid siege to Jerusalem. 2 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. 3 The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood and of the nobility, 4 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; 5 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. 6 Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 8 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. 9 Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain, 10 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.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 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.” 14 He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; 15 after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. 16 So the steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables. 17 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. 18 At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 When the king hadspoken with all of them, none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and so they entered the king’s service. 20 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.

Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

R: Glory and praise for ever!

29 [Dan 3:52] “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; and blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.” (R) 30 [Dan 3:53] “Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.” (R) 31 [Dan 3:54] “Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 32 [Dan 3:55] “Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 33 [Dan 3:56] “Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.” (R)

How diligent are we in providing for the needs of the Church? According to the Canon Law, it is our responsibility to give for the upkeep of the Church, Her ministers and Her social programs. This is the way it has always been and always will be. It is also up to the Church to ensure that She administers Her wealth well and does not waste it on worthless projects. It is rare for parishes to have enough money to fund its projects and activities. That is why important decisions need to be made as to how funds are spent.

Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.

1 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

think: How diligent are we in providing for the needs of the Church?

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR  Lamentations 1-4

FRIENDS OF GOD

King Nebuchadnezzar ordered his chamberlain to gather young men who are intelligent, handsome, sturdy and eloquent to be a part of his advisers. Among this elite group were four young Israelites — Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. To these choice young men, the king allotted a special portion of his royal food and wine.

       But the four young men were faithful to Israel’s covenant with God. They would not defile themselves with the king’s food and wine. They would not eat forbidden food, i.e., food offered to pagan gods. Informed that they would incur the king’s wrath should they refuse, Daniel challenged the royal chamberlain to give them only water and vegetables for 10 days while the rest eat the royal food. After 10 days, Daniel and his three friends proved to be healthier and stronger than the rest.

       This reading is not about dietary suggestions nor a pitch for the organic and vegetarian lifestyle. The point of the reading is this: When you partake of something contrary to God and His purpose, you make yourself an enemy of God. When you partake of something consecrated for God and His purpose, you make yourself a friend of God.

       Daniel and his friends later on were gifted by God with the extraordinary gifts of knowledge and proficiency in all literature and science, and to Daniel the special gift of interpretation of dreams and visions.

       When one strives to remain a faithful friend of God, He is all the more faithful. Just like God whom Daniel and his  companions praised in the psalms as the one who “looks into the depths from his throne upon the cherubim” (see the Responsorial Psalm), friends of God grow into a deep understanding of His ways and actions through the Spirit.

       The gifts of Daniel and his three friends are not really the promise of a vegetarian diet. That is a promise of God to all His faithful friends. Fr. Joel Jason

REFLECTION QUESTION: In all your thoughts, words and action, do you strive to be a friend of God?

Winter, spring, summer or fall, You’ve got a friend in me, O God. Amen.