Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 Jn 8:31-42

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

“But even if he will not, know, O king ,that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue that you set up.” Daniel 3:12

Oh that I could have such courage to say the same! The first reading gives an illustration of the incredulous courage and faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The three men are faced with certain death, yet refuse to worship anyone or anything, but God. A modern day version of the same chapter could illuminate a variety of “golden statues” that I sometimes find myself “worshipping” on a daily basis. These “statues” are disguised, but ever present as: jobs, schoolwork, hobbies, games, relationships and many other things that could find themselves in front of my faith with God if I am not careful. If I let these distractions take over my life, then I become enslaved by them, which brings me to the words from the Gospel, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.” [John 8:34] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego put their love and faith for God behind nothing. God is first and foremost in everything. Thus, if the men were true to their word, they would live their lives by following God’s word by letting nothing come before God.

This passage really made me reflect and reexamine the strength of my faith. What would I do if I were in the same situation? Is my faith strong enough to say no to the king’s request? Lent is drawing to a close, and Easter is near. What a perfect time for a reflection on my spiritual life. God gave his only son, sacrificed His son, for the sake of humanity. Christ died to save us. It is a hard fact to face. It is not easy to give an answer or perform an action that you know will result in persecution, abuse, maybe even death. I may be able to practice my religion without the fear of discrimination, without being faced with the daily fear of dying for what I believe, but such circumstances and conditions still exist throughout the world. However bleak these situations may seem, these conditions illuminate the courageous and faith-filled people who are not willing to deny God, but rather stand up for what they believe...even if it means walking into the fire.

I know of various histories, of martyrs and saints, but I sometimes feel as though I fail to recognize the modern-day martyrs, the unsung heroes. How brave that such people stand up, worship God, and live out His words, knowing that their mortal lives are in danger. The words of the Gospel, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The truth will set me free! If I model my life from God’s words, then I should not fear the enslavement or even death that results from my actions in His name. If I am going to try and live with faith and love as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did, then I must remember to place God before all. Nothing, stands before God. Moreover, man was created in God’s image and I should put others before myself and should not expect anything in return. It is not a comfortable picture to envision, a picture of anyone being persecuted for his/her faith and belief in God. However, I should always be prepared to face a version of King Nebuchadnezzar; I should always be prepared to say “no” to everything but God.