Daily Reflection Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

     We often hear and possibly greet each other with the words, “Namaste,” the good in me greets the good in you. With all the rancor we are faced with today, the writer Timber Hawkeye suggests that we go within ourselves and pray, “the ego in me greets the ego in you.” This possibility resonates with me as I reflect on today’s Scripture readings. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego appear to be calm in their trust that God will save them from the fiery furnace. They will not adore false idols. If they are not saved from the fire, they willingly give themselves to God. Their serenity is a gift from their Creator. Yet, how many of us are faced in life with the fires of unrest, bickering, gossip, and violence? When it is very difficult to see the good in the other, we go within ourselves to be in touch with our own sin. As we struggle with the evil within us, we can better understand how others are struggling with their sin. Are we then not called to patience and prayer for the other?

    When Jesus instructs us to live in his word and that “the truth will set us free”, I see a clear relationship between the readings from Daniel and John. We know that each of us will battle with evil until we are in a grave or an urn. At different times in our lives this struggle is lighter or heavier. Yet, if we understand that we are all struggling, we can be patient not only with ourselves but also with each other. Then we remember that patience and understanding are gifts we were given in Confirmation. So, let’s unwrap these gifts and use them to understand when evil is arising within us and in other people. Spending time with our God each day, marinating our minds and hearts in Scripture, and understanding that we all sin will help us to respect and encourage each other in our friendship with God.

    Today’s story of the faith of the boys in the fire support us in our own daily fires. Jesus reassures us to remain in his word—THE word of understanding, patience and love for each other.

    We are approaching Holy Week. This is a ripe time for us to assess our own idols in life: false advertisements, philosophies that attract us but are detrimental to our healthy relationships with God and people. Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when we are singed by the power of the crowd or titillating advertising or false preaching, what is our response?