Today, like with Daniel, we can find ourselves trapped in many different types of Babylon: within religious bigotry, political demagoguery, or familial and personal oppression. And yes - we often find ourselves both taking part in an aspect of these as well as subject to their whims due to external pressure. It’s tough, because we each can feel somewhat set upon and oppressed while also being a source of oppression for both ourselves and others. The symbolic sense of the first chapter of Daniel speaks to how it’s important to acknowledge that both are true (since as a parable we are invited to internalize both Babylon and Daniel in our reflection), but also that we can start to feed the Daniel within “new food” and work toward the changes that will eventually transform our lives, community, and world toward freedom, compassion, and the diversity of cultural and spiritual health.