How long shall it be to the end of these appalling things?

(Dan 12:6)

The question that is asked by everyone these days is, “How long will it be to the end of this appalling financial crisis?” The continuing economic crisis that is sweeping the region and, more particularly, the sharp depreciation of the Indonesian rupiah have become a cause of worry for many and have adversely affected the work contracts of a number of expatriate professionals in Indonesia. Most work contracts have been amended to reduce costs and many have been terminated or will soon be terminated. Accordingly, a number of our brothers and sisters in the community may soon have to return to Manila, where the crisis appears to be not as severe as in Jakarta. These are indeed troubling times!

The Book of Daniel is just the book for times like these! Alexander Di Lella, O.F.M. in his spiritual commentary entitled Daniel: A Book for Troubling Times states that while the Book of Daniel may not speak of our times, it certainly speaks to our times.

The primary purpose of the author of the Book of Daniel was to encourage the Jews to remain faithful to Yahweh at a time when they were suffering a bloody persecution from Antiochus IV Epiphanes. His main message was that the wisdom of Israel’s God was infinitely superior to the mere human wisdom of the pagans. The author was concerned with showing that Israel’s God had immense power and that he could and would rescue his faithful ones from their persecutors.

The universal message of the Book of Daniel to our times and for all times is that God is the master of history and that he is in full control of everything all of the time. This message is meant to encourage people who are faced with adversity and have to make difficult choices. It leads us to confirm to ourselves that if God is in full control of everything, and if we truly believe that God wishes only what is good for us, then there should be no cause for worry even in the most trying of times.

The Book of Daniel has three major parts. The first part consists of six short stories about Daniel and his friends. The stories relate how the young Daniel was taken into exile in Babylon in 606 BC. There he lived as a pious and loyal Jew who was given by Yahweh the power to interpret dreams and visions. Three of the stories are narratives about tests of loyalty while the other three are about displays of wisdom. They all have the same basic structure: Daniel and his friends face trials and testing; they resolve to remain faithful to Yahweh; God acts to resolve the crisis; and Daniel and his friends praise and thank God. And all stories have the same message: by remaining faithful to Yahweh, one will triumph over adversity.

Fr. Di Lella has the following reflections on the first chapter of Daniel: Daniel’s first chapter teaches us today that we are to live our faith commitment even in the pagan environment of today’s world with all its blandishments and allurements, its temptations and compromises. There is no other place or time in which we can live. The Christian cannot live in the past nor in the future, but only in the present. Moreover, there are no ideal times or places in which to be Christian and to practice Christian virtues and live a Christian lifestyle. There are no golden ages in the Church; there is no Christian land of Camelot. The present time and place alone are where God meets us and we meet God.

The second part narrates four apocalyptic visions involving Daniel. In these visions, Daniel is not the interpreter of mysteries but the recipient of secret revelations. Through these symbolic visions and direct revelations, Daniel learns of divine actions soon to occur.

The third and last part (the appendix) is a collection of three short stories, namely, Susanna, Bel, and the Dragon, whose message is similar to that of the six short stories in the first part. As in the earlier part, these stories teach that faithfulness to Yahweh always triumphs over adversity.

The theology of history is central to the Book of Daniel. Through narratives and apocalyptic visions, the Book of Daniel tells us that history is not just a series of occurrences or collection of events but is the arena of God’s providence. God alone is in control. When we experience suffering, depression or financial and other problems, or when things go wrong in our work or in our personal and family life, or when we get sick or suffer pains, we should not think that God has abandoned us or refuses to answer our prayers. God is always present. God is always in control and he desires only the best for us. We must therefore remain faithful and believe that he gives to us his loving care even when he chooses, in his infinite wisdom and for his own mysterious reasons, to remain silent.

My brothers and sisters, during these difficult times you may feel discouraged or depressed. You may feel like a big failure. We should take comfort in what Mother Teresa said when she received the Nobel Peace Prize, “The Lord never calls us to be successful, but only faithful.”

I encourage all of you to read the Book of Daniel and reflect on its message and meaning. Recite loudly the prayers and praises that are contained in the book. And then listen to God’s reassuring and comforting words as you meditate in silence after each section.

My brothers and sisters, we should remain steadfast in our faith in God in the face of trials. Like the three friends of Daniel who are thrown into the furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to worship the golden statue, we should also be able to repeat their courageous words: There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up (Dan 3:16-18).

Let us all pray to God that he may soon put an end to this economic crisis that is sweeping the region. But even if he does not, we should declare that, like the friends of Daniel, we would remain faithful to our covenant and continue to serve him with zeal and proclaim his gospel in the community of Couples for Christ. Like the psalmist, we should pray: The Lord is with me; I am not afraid; what can mortals do against me? (Ps 118:6)

We may continue to repeat the question posed by the angel in Daniel’s vision: How long shall it be to the end of these appalling things? (Dan 12:6). But we should also take consolation in the response of the other angel: Blessed is the man who has patience and perseveres until the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. Go, take your rest, you shall rise for your reward at the end of days (Dan 12:12-13). Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

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