Please read the passage before the homily.
The book of Daniel is set in the last days of the Kingdom of Judah and the early days of Exile. The first chapters show a human side of the conquering Babylonians. The king wanted to bring in young people from the captives and train them for positions in the kingdom. We are introduced to four youth so selected, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
They are somewhat an answer to the question how to live in a way faithful to God in a foreign land. The youths did not want to eat food that possibly had been sacrificed to idols and asked for vegetarian meals instead. They willingly underwent a test, and the results were favorable to the king’s supervisor. The four were endowed with the gifts of interpreting dreams and great wisdom. Early on, the four are found “ten times better” than all the magicians and enchanters in the kingdom.
We live in a foreign culture, where we are urged to conform. The wise among us want to be vegetarians, not in food, but in actions, habits and the ideals we hold. If we were to live generously for others for ten days, would our lives show our greater wisdom and integrity?
The book of Daniel is not just stories of the life and exploits of Daniel and his friends. They are also examples for us to imitate in living our relationships with God and our world.