Daily Readings - Wed Apr 09 2025
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 trust in God. In the first reading from Daniel, we witness the courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they stand firm in their belief in God, even when faced with the threat of death in a fiery furnace. Their refusal to worship the golden statue set up by King Nebuchadnezzar is a testament to their unwavering faith. Despite the king's fury and the intensity of the fire, they trust that God will rescue them, and indeed, God sends an angel to protect them. This story reminds us that true faith is not about avoiding challenges but about trusting God to see us through them.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the Jews who believed in him, emphasizing the importance of abiding in his word. He tells them that the truth will set them free, but they resist this idea, claiming to be descendants of Abraham and therefore free. Jesus challenges their understanding, pointing out that sin enslaves and that true freedom comes only through him. He also confronts their actions, which contradict the faith of Abraham. This exchange highlights the tension between claiming a spiritual heritage and living out that heritage in obedience to God. Jesus calls us to move beyond mere association with God to a life transformed by his truth.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we are called to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with opposition. Like the Jews in the Gospel, we are challenged to examine whether our actions align with our professed beliefs. True freedom comes not from external circumstances but from living in the truth of God's love and grace. Let us strive to trust God in all situations, knowing that he is our ultimate deliverer, and let us seek to live out our faith in ways that reflect the transformative power of Christ.