The God Who Shuts the Lions’ Mouths

Dan 6:12-28; Psalm Dan 3; Lk 21:20-28

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, in a world that often feels like it is coming undone, the Word of God today speaks a powerful word of hope. It reveals that our faithful God is both our deliverer in the present trials and our certain hope in the final cataclysm. He is the one who shuts the lions’ mouths for Daniel and commands us to “stand erect and raise our heads” when the cosmos itself seems to collapse.

The magnificent story of Daniel in the lions’ den presents a timeless drama of fidelity and divine rescue. Daniel’s enemies cannot find any fault in his conduct, so they attack his faith, engineering a law that forbids prayer to any god but the king. Daniel’s response is not a public protest, but a quiet, steadfast continuation of his prayer life, “giving thanks to his God as was his custom.” Thrown into the den as a consequence of his fidelity, he is miraculously saved, and King Darius is moved to proclaim: “He is the living God, enduring forever; his Kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be without end.” Daniel’s trust in the midst of trial becomes the very means by which God reveals His glory to a pagan nation.

This theme of trusting God amidst terrifying circumstances is taken to a cosmic scale in the Gospel. Jesus describes a time of ultimate distress for Jerusalem and the whole world: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay.” People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming. Yet, into this scene of global panic, Jesus speaks a stunning command to His disciples: “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” While the world cowers, the faithful are to look up, for their Savior approaches.

Daniel’s deliverance prefigures the ultimate redemption Christ won for us on the Cross. The lion’s den—and all the trials we face—are not the final word. For the faithful, even the dissolution of the cosmos is not a cause for terror, but for hopeful expectation. As the Catechism teaches, Christ’s final coming will be the “definitive triumph of God over the revolt of evil” (CCC 677). The same God who shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel will bring to completion the work of our salvation.

This offers us immense comfort and strength. When we face our own “lions’ dens”—be it persecution, illness, financial ruin, or family strife—we are called to Daniel’s quiet, persistent prayer. We are not guaranteed earthly rescue, but we are promised the abiding presence of the living God. And when we see the “roaring” chaos in the world and in the Church, we are not to be paralyzed by fear, but to “stand erect” in faith, hope, and charity, for our redemption is assured.

As Pope Saint John Paul II, a modern-day Daniel, constantly urged us, “Be not afraid!” He knew that the one who trusts in Christ can face any trial.

Let us, then, go forth in this spirit of courageous hope. May our daily prayer be as constant as Daniel’s, and our posture toward the future as confident as the Lord commands. For the God who shut the mouths of lions and conquered sin and death is our God, and His Kingdom is an everlasting dominion. Amen.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.