Daily Readings - Wed Apr 06 2022
Daniel
13Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,14and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?15Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"16Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.17If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.18But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."19Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual20and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.24Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
John
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."33They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"34Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.37I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word.38I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father. "39"Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would40do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.41You are doing the things your own father does.We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."42Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of faith, trust, and liberation. The first reading from Daniel recounts the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who, faced with the fiery furnace, chose to trust in God rather than bow to idols. Their unwavering faith was rewarded as they emerged unharmed, exemplifying the physical freedom that comes from trusting in the divine.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus discusses a different kind of freedom—one from sin. He explains that sin enslaves, but through Him, we can find true liberation. This spiritual freedom is not just the absence of bondage but the presence of a life guided by truth and grace. Jesus challenges the Jews to look beyond their earthly heritage and embrace a spiritual lineage rooted in God.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. How do we trust God in our trials? How do we seek spiritual freedom from the sins that bind us? The stories remind us that true freedom is found in faith and a relationship with God. As we navigate life's challenges, may we, like Shadrach and his companions, trust in God's deliverance, and may we, as Jesus taught, embrace the truth that sets us free.