the exaltation of the faithful
"To Daniel he said, 'May your God, Whom you serve so constantly, save you.' " —Daniel 6:17
Daniel was faithful. He refused to disregard the Jewish law regarding kosher food (Dn 1:8). The Lord exalted Daniel and gave him "the understanding of all visions and dreams" (Dn 1:17). King Nebuchadnezzar "advanced Daniel to a high post, gave him many generous presents, made him ruler of the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon" (Dn 2:48).
Daniel was faithful. He broke the law and "continued his custom of going home to kneel in prayer and give thanks to his God in the upper chamber three times a day, with the windows open toward Jerusalem" (Dn 6:11). "So the king ordered Daniel to be brought and cast into the lions' den" (Dn 6:17). God sent an angel to close the lions' mouths (Dn 6:23). "Then King Darius wrote to the nations and peoples of every language" (Dn 6:26) and decreed that throughout his "royal domain the God of Daniel" was "to be reverenced and feared" (Dn 6:27). The Lord again exalted His faithful one.
Jesus is "the faithful Witness" (Rv 1:5). He was faithful to His Father — even to accepting death on the cross. "Because of this, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name above every other name" (Phil 2:9).
Be faithful to the Lord, His Church, your vocations, your family, and your responsibilities. Be faithful to your baptismal promises, and the Lord will exalt you and seat you with Him in heaven at the right hand of God the Father (Rv 3:21; Eph 2:6).
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your perfect faithfulness. May I be like You.
Promise: "Men will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with great power and glory." —Lk 21:27
Praise: Praise and thank You, Abba, "always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:20).
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 10, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 16, 1999