GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 5TH APRIL 2017
WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT
FIRST READING: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
PSALM: Daniel 3:52-56
GOSPEL: John 8:31-42
THEME: BLAZING FAITH IN A BLAZING FIRE
Sometime ago, I had a chat with a religious missionary sister who was preparing to go on a religious assignment in a war-torn country. As we recounted some of the media reports on the atrocities meted out to the vulnerable and the gruesome murder of a religious missionary in that country, I asked her, “Are you not scared?” She replied, “I have faith in the Lord. It is His mission and I must go.” She was unafraid of the “fire” that was awaiting her. I felt inspired by her unflinching commitment and unwavering faith in the Lord.
Faith is not a dress that one keeps changing depending on the season. It is the unchanging skin on a person in spite of the season. A moment comes in the life of a person, when, like gold, one has to go through the “test of fire.” It may take the form of a trial, temptation or tribulation. It is often a very challenging period. In search of an escape route, some people compromise their faith in such moments but there are others who uphold it, trusting in God through it all.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego had their share of the “test of fire” at the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. For refusing to worship a golden statue that the king had set up, these three young men landed into trouble. When threatened by the king on account of their uncompromising faith, they said, “ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Dan. 3: 17-18). In the end, they were cast into a furnace of blazing fire.
Their faith proved fruitful. The king himself testified, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire…But I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God…”
A person of blazing faith carries with him/her the presence of God even in the midst of a blazing fire. This is true freedom. Freedom is not the absence of challenges or pain but the deep experience of inner peace even in the face of challenges.
Are you faced with a difficult trial or temptation? Do not lose faith in Jesus. He is faithful – “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (Jn. 8:36). The Lord will set you free. Just hold on, help is coming!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I believe you are with me as I walk through this fire; help me to trust you through it all. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).