However, "being reminded that every royal prohibition or decree is irrevocable," Darius ordered Daniel to be cast into the Lion's dean. (A little bit like Pilate ordering Jesus to be crucified against his own judgment.) So distressed was the King over doing this that he refused to eat or be entertained and spent a sleepless night. The discovery that the lions had not even nipped Daniel "gave the king great joy!" He then ordered the three men who had accused Daniel, along with their children and their wives, to be cast into the lions' den, and "the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones." A rather satisfying account of the victory of justice, where innocence and goodness overcome guilt and evil! A rare event indeed! And revenge is sweet! How to pray with such a story in light of the Gospel account of both the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world, where "men will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the earth, when the powers in the heavens will be shaken.?" In other words, the real world we all live in. I offer this bold reflection: contrast Daniel in the Lion's Den with Jesus on the Cross and rejoice in the difference! Both prophets are innocent and both trust only in God. But God Who rescued Daniel from the lions' mouth did not save Jesus from a cruel and shameful death. Of Jesus it was said, "He saved others, himself he cannot save." The rescue of Daniel by God led to the condemnation and destruction of his three accusers -- and their wives and children, certainly as innocent as Daniel! The crucifixion of Jesus led to the forgiveness of all: his accusers and executioners, as well as all fellow victims. In the somewhat cryptic words of the Eagle King in the story of Cool Dawn (by Thomas Klise): "Stay here and destroy the cage for others." That's what Jesus did! When He, Who called Himself the Son of Man (and not the Son of God), comes on a cloud with great power and glory, we -- all humanity -- will "stand erect and hold our heads high, for our deliverance is near at hand." "We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world." |