Our Appetite
Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20; Psalm 3:52–56; Luke 21:1-4
In the first reading, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon imposed his own religion on the Isrealites, and through Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, he got some men of Judah—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—to be cultured for service in his palace.
These men resolved not to defile themselves with the king’s food or wine, and the chief chamberlain respected their decision. They perhaps refused the king’s food because some of the food may have been forbidden, according to Leviticus 11 or 17:10–14. It is possible the wine had been offered to the gods of Babylon, and the Bible forbids eating meat sacrificed to idols. (Rom. 14-15).
On the other hand, there may be nothing judgmental about eating the King’s food since, according to 2 Kings 25:29, King Jehoiachin ate the King’s food when in exile. But, you see, our consecration may just be the reason we should tame our appetite. It may be good for one, but poison for another. Teenagers hardly refused food, but these teenagers understood their consecration and tamed their appetite. There are meals we have to resist today in order to live a holy life. We have to resist fornication, pride, envy, money etc.
Eventually, it was recorded that these men appeared healthier and better than those who ate at the royal table. Beloved, we shall not die if we resolve not to defile ourselves with the corruption in today’s world. We can deny ourselves some pleasures, regardless of pressure to obtain the greatest measure. In the gospel, we see a poor widow putting all she had in the collection box in the synagogue. This widow denied herself all she had to possess—all the Lord was offering. Like the four young men and the widow true Christians must learn the ways of penance, denial, and martyrdom.
Let us pray
Stir up the will of your faithful, and we pray, O Lord, that striving more eagerly to bring your divine work to fruitful completion, they may receive in greater measure the healing remedies your kindness bestows. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen!
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
