Practice is powerful

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invite reflection on the role of religious practice in the lives of believers. The noble men of the Book of Daniel, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, are brought to the court of the conquering power and plan to continue the Jewish dietary practices in the face of great potential personal danger. Providence is in play as they find a way to convince the official in charge of their care to substitute allowed vegetables for the "unclean" food of the court. We may question the concern of the God of the Universe for the maintenance of "Kosher" or "Halal" or "meatless Friday" food choices. The practice of the dietary restrictions is the sign to the wider community that the believer is honoring a commitment or a Covenant or a closeness in intimate relationship with the Divine. As Jesus comments in the Gospel of Luke, the Widow's Mite, is two small coins given from the resources she needs to survive to pay her portion to the practice of supporting the Temple. The power of her understanding of the deep giving of self that she presents puts flesh on the desire of Israel that the Lord God be in intimate relationship with the people and be the love of our entire body and soul. Our being is sustained in the gracious love of God. Our practice makes this tangible.