“The Babylonians threw Daniel into the lion-pit, and he was there for six days. In the pit were seven lions and every day two slaves and two sheep were fed to them; now, to make sure they would devour Daniel, they were given nothing.

The Prophet Habakkuk, who was in Judaea, had made a stew; he broke bread into the bowl, and he was on the way to his field, carrying it to the reapers, when an angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Habakkuk, carry that meal you have to Babylon for Daniel, who is in the lion-pit.’ ‘My lord’, replied Habakkuk, ‘I have never been to Babylon, and I do not know where the lion-pit is.’ The angel took the prophet by the head, and carrying him by his hair swept him to Babylon with the blast of his breath and set him down above the pit. Habakkuk called out, ‘Daniel, Daniel! Take the meal that God has sent you.’ Daniel said, ‘You do indeed remember me, God; you never abandon those who love you.’ He got up and ate; and at once God’s angel brought Habakkuk home again.”

(Daniel 14:31-39)

Two prophets. Daniel and Habakkuk. And a heavenly travel agency. Run by angels. Instant travel. The angel takes Habakkuk by his hair and lowers him gently at the brim of the pit that held seven fasting lions and a hungry prophet. Door-to-door catering. Habakkuk’s spontaneous reaction to the angel’s optimistic orders endears him to us: “I’ve never been to Babylon, and I don’t know where the lion-pit is.” The angel takes prompt action. Conveyance is provided. To and fro. All that’s left for Habakkuk is to cook his stew again.

Dear angel of mine, I know you want to take me to many places and say many things and do many things. By all means. But don’t think that it’s enough to tell me about it. I’ve no idea where Babylon is, and less idea where the lion-pit lies. I don’t even have much hair left on my head for you to grab. But I know you’ll manage. Take me where you know I should be and make me do what you know I’ve to do. I, for my part, will just cook the stew I know how to cook, and I’ll be happy to take it to whomsoever needs it more than me. All the rest I leave to you. Please, see to it.

Dear travelling angel, be with me in all my travels through the world.