End Times and Now Times

The Roman Catholic Lectionary places the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den with Luke’s account of Jesus commentary on the destruction of Jerusalem and the “end days”. The challenge of Daniel might be with the condemnation of the men who had opposed Daniel, their children and their wives in the Lion’s Den. The “natural justice” of a penalty which is based on the harm you have done another is somewhat expected. The “sins of the father are vested on the sons” is a cliché with some evidence in reality. The Divine mercy for the evil doers appears to be absent in Daniel. The destruction of Jerusalem is evil. Historically, Jerusalem has known defeat at the hands of the enemies of Israel during those times when the people have lost the connection with the Divine as “Chosen people”. The Covenant between God and people is life for Jerusalem. Death and destruction can return without contact with that Life. Jesus reminds us that the “Son of Man” restores that Life and that those who see the Son of Man coming should rise and be redeemed. The “historical” setting of these episodes may suggest that the message is also ancient. The battle between good and evil is constant. The “Son of Man” is the consistent link to redeem that battle.