The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the truthfulness of the program upon which we organize our understanding and activity in our relationships with the people on our journey.
The reading from the Book of Daniel describes the Fiery Furnace.
* [3:17] If our God…can save us: the youths do not question the efficacy of the divine power, but whether it will be exercised (v. 18). (Daniel, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
The response from the Book of Daniel is from the Prayer of Azariah.
* [3:24–90] These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures. (Daniel, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
The Gospel of John compares Jesus and Abraham.
* [8:31–59] Jesus’ origin (“before Abraham”) and destiny are developed; the truth will free them from sin (Jn 8:34) and death (Jn 8:51).
* [8:31] Those Jews who believed in him: a rough editorial suture, since in Jn 8:37 they are described as trying to kill Jesus.
* [8:33] Have never been enslaved to anyone: since, historically, the Jews were enslaved almost continuously, this verse is probably Johannine irony, about slavery to sin.
* [8:35] A slave…a son: an allusion to Ishmael and Isaac (Gn 16; 21), or to the release of a slave after six years (Ex 21:2; Dt 15:12).
* [8:38] The Father: i.e., God. It is also possible, however, to understand the second part of the verse as a sarcastic reference to descent of the Jews from the devil (Jn 8:44), “You do what you have heard from [your] father.”
* [8:39] The works of Abraham: Abraham believed; cf. Rom 4:11–17; Jas 2:21–23. (John, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)
Carol Zuegner reflects on lines from today’s gospel reading "The truth shall set you free" and a famous American movie (A Few Good Men, 1992) phrase: “You can’t handle the truth.”
I think I sometimes feel I can’t handle the truth that God loves me because of my flaws and my brokenness. But he does. Like the people in John’s gospel grappling with the ideas Jesus presented, I look for loopholes or other explanations. I need to remain in the word of God and truly be a disciple. I can see the truth that I can pay attention to the large and small things every day where I know I can do the right thing. I know that truth will set me free. And I know that I can handle that truth with God’s help.
Let me keep the word of God with a generous heart. (Zuegner, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “The upright of heart,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Do you know who the upright of heart are? They are those who wish what God wishes. Therefore, do not try to twist God's will to you own but correct your will to that of God. The will of God is a rule of conduct. By it you have the means of being converted and of correcting your evil ways." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 93,18) (Rice & Galbraith, 2008)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 comments that just as God strengthened Miriam and helped Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he will provide for us. As we seek him each day, he offers us the grace we need for the circumstances of our lives. A single mother working a second job to provide for her family can find the strength to carry on. A widower struggling with grief can find a mustard seed of hope each morning. God longs to give each of us his abundant grace, no matter our situation.
When we rely on the Lord’s power rather than our own resources, beautiful things can happen. Not only can we find the strength to endure, but we may also discover that our witness produces faith in people around us. King Nebuchadnezzar praised God when the men emerged from the fiery furnace unharmed. Miriam’s students found hope through her trust in the Lord. In him, no suffering is wasted. Know that your faith can bring light to people in darkness, hope to those in pain, and grace to those who are struggling.
“Jesus, when I feel tired, weak, or alone, help me to find my strength and hope in you.” (Meditation on Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the passage from Daniel about the fiery punishment to the Hebrew men who would not serve the Babylonian god. The Fourth Person in the furnace in Daniel resonates with the One like the Son of God in Revelation. Friar Jude note how Jesus contrasts the behaviour of the Pharisees with the faith of Abraham and Moses.
James Finley explores the transformative power of the Twelve Steps from a contemplative perspective. He reflects on the First Step and the paradoxical power that comes from admitting our helplessness.
What precedes admitting and makes admitting possible is hitting bottom. It’s very painful to admit that our lives have become unmanageable because we all need a sense of self-efficacy. We all need a sense of, “Look, I can handle this.”… So, what we’re really trying to do here is we’re coming to a painful place of admitting. The admitting then brings us to a place in which, if this is up to me, it is not looking good. As a matter of fact, if this is up to me, I think it’s despair. But the very fact that I’ve risked despair opens up a whole new possibility because maybe it’s not up to me. Maybe there’s another way. (Finley, 2023)
We are prompted by the Spirit to examine the tension between our ego based plans and the path of humility and trust offered to disciples of Jesus.
References
Daniel, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/3?14
Finley, J. (2023, March 29). The Power of Admitting — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-power-of-admitting-2023-03-29/
John, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/8?
Meditation on Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/29/640725/
Rice, D., & Galbraith, M. (2008, November 16). The Truth Will Make You Free. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar29
Zuegner, C. (2023, March 29). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032923.html
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