(a) Narrate the story of Daniel in which his faith was put to test. (b) What two suggestions would you give to a present-day priest who faces opposition in ...

Answer Details

(a) The story of Daniel in which his faith was put to test (Daniel 6)

When Darius the Mede received the kingdom, he set over it a hundred and twenty satraps, and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one. Because an excellent spirit was in him, Daniel distinguished himself above all, and the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

The other presidents and satraps became jealous and sought to find grounds for complaint against Daniel, but they could find none, for he was faithful and without fault. So they said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God."

They persuaded King Darius to sign an irrevocable decree, by the law of the Medes and Persians, that whoever made petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to the king, should be cast into the den of lions.

When Daniel knew the document was signed, he went to his house, where he had windows open toward Jerusalem, and got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks to God, as he had done before. His enemies caught him praying and reported him to the king. Darius was greatly distressed and laboured till sunset to deliver Daniel, but the conspirators reminded him that the law could not be changed. So the king reluctantly commanded that Daniel be cast into the den of lions, saying, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!" A stone was laid on the mouth of the den and sealed.

The king spent the night fasting and could not sleep. Early in the morning he ran to the den and cried, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to deliver you from the lions?" Daniel answered, "My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, because I was found blameless before him." The king was overjoyed and had Daniel taken up, and no hurt was found on him because he had trusted in his God. Then those who had accused him were cast into the den with their families and were devoured. King Darius decreed that in all his dominion men should tremble before the God of Daniel, the living God.

(b) Two suggestions to a present-day priest facing opposition in evangelization

1. Remain steadfast in faith and prayer - like Daniel, he should continue to trust God and pray without wavering, confident that God is able to protect and vindicate him.
2. Persevere with courage and integrity - he should keep a blameless character, refuse to compromise or abandon his duty out of fear, and continue the work of evangelization, leaving the outcome to God.