Daily Readings - Wed Mar 29 2023
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
The readings today present us with powerful lessons about faith, freedom, and the ultimate triumph of God’s truth over human oppression. In the first reading from Daniel, we encounter Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three young men who refuse to worship the golden statue erected by King Nebuchadnezzar. Despite the king’s fury and the threat of being cast into a fiery furnace, they remain steadfast in their faith, trusting that God will rescue them. Their courage is rewarded when an angel of the Lord protects them in the furnace, leaving them unharmed. This story reminds us that true freedom comes from trusting in God’s providence, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to those who believe in him, offering a profound teaching about the nature of truth and freedom. He says, “If you abide in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and the truth will set you free.” The Jews, however, resist this message, clinging to their earthly heritage as descendants of Abraham. Jesus challenges them, pointing out that true freedom is not about physical lineage but about living in accordance with God’s truth. He makes it clear that sin enslaves us, but through him, we can be set free. This passage invites us to reflect on whether we are truly living as disciples of Jesus, unshackled from the bonds of sin and committed to his teachings.
Both readings call us to examine our own lives. Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, even when it means facing challenges or ridicule? Are we open to the truth that Jesus offers, or do we cling to our own comfort zones and false sense of security? The moral lesson is clear: true freedom comes from trusting in God and living according to his will. Let us pray for the courage to embrace this freedom, knowing that God’s truth will always prevail.