The Book of Daniel is rather puzzling and difficult to understand. Hence it is quite difficult to apply it to our spiritual life. If we lay aside questions about historical reality, we can read today's passage, for example, as a parable about the Christian life in a hostile world. We will then find much to learn, as many of the elements here are found elsewhere in Scripture.

First of all, Daniel teaches us an important lesson in fidelity and constancy. In a hostile world he was faithful to God and he prayed constantly and regularly: "He prays three times a day". He did not antagonize anyone by praying in public: he prayed in the upper room of his own house: Jesus taught us to enter into our own place to pray in secret and our Father who sees in secret will reward us (Mt 6:6).

Daniel's constancy and fidelity were awarded by God. The lions' den is a powerful symbol of a hostile world - a world which does not always tolerate or respect Christianity. But God is in the midst of this hostile world to keep us free from danger.