Spirit of the Law
Nov. 27: Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading and Gospel might seem unrelated at first, but after some thinking, I believe they’re about the same thing—the spirit of the law.
Reading 1
Dn 1:1-6, 8-20
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and laid siege to Jerusalem. 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.
The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood and of the nobility, 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; 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. Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
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. Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain, 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."
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 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."
He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. So the steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables. 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. At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. When the king had spoken with all of them, none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and so they entered the king's service. 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 and his friends have been kidnapped, and forced into the service of a foreign king. They still want to keep their faith and tradition though, so Daniel approaches Ashpenaz about not eating pork.
The chamberlain doesn’t want to get in trouble, though; King Nebuchadnezzar wanted these young men because they were fit and strong, after all. And although Daniel wants to follow God’s law, he also has sympathy for Ashpenaz. He understands the predicament he’s putting the chamberlain in.
So, he’s willing to compromise—let Daniel and the others eat just vegetables, and if it looks like it’s going to cause trouble, they’ll go back to eating unclean meat.
Daniel takes a practical view. Honoring God matters, but so does not getting executed by the king for insubordination.
And thankfully, God eliminates the dilemma—He allows the Jewish men to grow strong, despite not getting any protein. He blesses Daniel for His devotion to God and concern for his fellow man. A foreigner who works for Israel’s oppressor, no less!
We live in a world of compromises, and so doing our best is all that God really calls for.
Responsorial Psalm
Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"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. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you on the throne of your Kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
This is the prayer Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah sing while being tortured in the furnace. So, as you might guess, Daniel’s ruse from the first reading doesn’t last long. However, God’s blessing does! These three don’t stop seeing God’s praise just because they’re in a little trouble.
Alleluia
Mt 24:42a, 44
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
As the first reading and Gospel show, we never know how things will work out, in the near term or the long term.
Gospel
Lk 21:1-4
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."
The ancient Israelites had many rules about what they were supposed to give to God.1 But those laws are just a starting point. God wants what’s in our hearts more.
The rich men were trading their money for the admiration of others. The poor widow gave all she had, regardless of what anyone else thought about it. Did either of them follow the tithing rules? No one knows! Jesus doesn’t point it out, because the letter of the law isn’t what matters—the spirit of the law is.