Readings of the day: RB 42 The Great Silence After Compline
Mass: Da 3:14-20, 91-91, 95; Resp Ps (Da 3); Jn 8:31-42
There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! 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.
(Da 3:16-18)
In front of me today I have one of my favorite picture postcards—from what I think is the best of the catacombs in Rome, namely, the Catacomb of Priscilla on the Via Salaria. The picture is of a fresco with the scene from today’s reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel—one of my favorite stories in the Bible: ‘The Fiery Furnace.’ What a joy to proclaim the reading at Mass with the names and unfolding drama. Nebuchadnezzar’s command with musical instruments of various kinds; his face livid with utter rage; the furnace heated seven times more than usual and some of the strongest men in the army binding the three young men whose names roll off the tongue—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. None of the king’s commands or power are a match for the faith-filled men and their God. Looking to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the white-hot furnace singing, glorifying and blessing God, a question comes to mind: Do I have such complete confidence and trust in the Lord?
Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
(Da 3:95)
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