FORESHADOWING OF GOOD FRIDAY

In the 1st reading we see these 3 men who resisted the king's command, They knew the truth that there is only one God whom we should be faithful to even to the point of sacrificing power, fame, fortune and their very lives. Our freedom consists in only obeying God not in inventing our own gods and laws. The way these 3 men (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) answered showed how they didn't even acknowledge the king's question as valid when they said they need not answer his question. One of the things we have to understand is that during that time kings make it illegal for the Jews to practice their religion. Just imagine if it's illegal to go to mass and be arrested if we were to go to mass and profess our Catholic faith. Would we find the freedom or courage not to acknowledge the law that would be force upon us? When our Jewish brothers and sister can't practice their faith we should notice when they said "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 which you set up.” They stated that even if God doesn't they would still do the right thing and sacrifice their lives so the people would know that even if they're not rescued they obeyed God. This a kind of foreshadowing of Good Friday. When Jesus said, "Thy will be done" He was obedient unto death on the cross. Because of this, God highly exalted Him that every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Take note of these 3 men in the flames according to what the king said “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Assuredly, O king,” they answered. “But,” he replied, “I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” In the gospel, Jesus stated "I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.” The Father sent Jesus Christ even from the beginning of human history to rescue and save us. Just as stated in today’s 1st reading, the 4th one walking with them in the flames. We have to realize that when we're ready to sacrifice ourselves to obey God, surely He is with us. As in the song, "Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Blessed are we if we walk amidst the burning flames of these trials and persecution of the people around us. The ridicule when we live our Catholic faith is all around us. We need to know that we are free when we abide by our faith and the Church. We need to have this kind of freedom that these 3 young men have. Amen. Hallelujah!

Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
14 King Nebuchadnezzar said: “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? 15 Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “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! 18 But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up.” 19 King Nebuchadnezzar’s face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual 20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace. 24 [91] King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Assuredly, O king,” they answered. 25 [92] “But,” he replied, “I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” 28 [95] Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”

P S A L M

Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
R: Glory and praise for ever!
29 [Dan 3:52] “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; and blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.

John 8:31-42
31 Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”...