Daniel 2:9: A False and Deceitful Interpretation
Third Sunday of Lent, March 24, 2019
When I am troubled about a relationship, when there seems to be a cloud of confusion about a particular topic, I go to scripture . . . and I always receive an answer. Today has brought me clarity to another thorny problem, and I thank God for his quick and clear answer to my question.
Yesterday we spent some time with the second chapter of Daniel in which we discussed how our little gods insist on being carried and served while the Living God carries and serves us. We reminded ourselves of how faithfully God turns all harm into goodness. And we wondered if we might – like Daniel – have the courage to take a public stand on thorny issues. We concluded our thoughts knowing that humility and fidelity will always bring us to mercy and truth. Today we look at one verse from Daniel’s story: You have framed a false and deceitful interpretation to present me with till the crisis is past.
Too frequently we humans are tempted to throw blame for error on others. We are too quick to fog the truth. We are too willing to stand silent while others are persecuted; too happy to shy away from responsibility; to eager to avoid conflict. This may be a good time to pause in our Lenten journey to evaluate ourselves and our relationship with others in order to assess how well – or how poorly – we speak for truth; and often – or how seldom – we stand for clarity and authenticity. An examination of our relationship with God and others must be candid and deep . . . and so we ask ourselves this basic question: When or how have we framed a false and deceitful interpretation of a conversation in order to avoid accepting responsibility?
Further questions flow from an honest evaluation.
- What have been the consequences of stalling for time while others suffer?
- Why have we participated in plots of lies and deception?
- How have we contributed to crises and neglected to act in peace?
- Who have been our companions in life’s journey: those who act in fear or those act in love?
We learn about ourselves when we take this sort of journey; and we come to know why we sleep in peace or are rattled by doubt. When we respond honestly to this kind of inquiry we begin to reach into our best selves, and we draw nearer to God.
If our answers to these difficult questions are positive and good then we can take heart and continue to move forward. If our answers embarrass or shame us, if we are unhappy with the way in which we rely on ourselves more than we trust God, we might take this opportunity to turn away from the little gods that insist on sapping our energy and diluting our will. We can give all that we are and all that we do to The Living God who loves us so well and so much.
It may be a new experience for us to go to someone we have wronged to ask forgiveness, but this is how we show repentance.
It may be complicated to sort out the truth from the lies in our relationships, but is the first step toward honesty and authenticity.
It may be a difficult journey inward as we strip away pretense to arrive at our true selves, but it essential if we wish to truly know peace.
You have framed a false and deceitful interpretation to present me with till the crisis is past.
Let us pray that if or when these words are spoken about us we will have the spiritual energy to resist the lure of a life lived without blame, that we will turn away from a life lived in shadow, and that we will continue to turn to The Living God when we find ourselves among the thorns.
A re-post from March 24, 2012.
The Noontimes 