NOTES for Dan 9:1-19

Today we read the prophet Daniel’s prayer of repentance. Daniel is a man who remained faithful to God through the most severe trials. In essence, he has every right to say, “Lord, You see how much I have suffered for Your name—and I remained faithful to You.” But Daniel sees the situation differently. He does not separate himself from his people. “We, Your people, have sinned before You and turned away from Your commandments.” Daniel addresses the Lord on behalf of the whole people, who may be occupied with their own affairs and not thinking of repentance at all. On behalf of everyone he says, “Righteousness belongs to You, but shame covers our faces.” He does not check what expression is on the faces of those around him; he brings the Lord his own repentance and his own shame for everyone. And God is pleased with Daniel’s prayer.

In today’s reading, the Lord calls us not to recall how many times we personally acted correctly, but to accept the present state of affairs as our own pain and shame, and to bring Him our repentance for everything that has happened and is happening in our families, in the Church, in our country, and in the world. If we do not look for someone to blame or separate ourselves from others, He will have the opportunity to act.