Daily Reflection Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

How often it happens that social rifts are caused by misunderstandings. We don’t comprehend another’s motives in family quarrels. In the political arena we often don’t understand others’ philosophies. These situations caution us that when we don’t understand, we should listen more and talk less.



    I think that Nebuchadnezzar and the audience of Jesus’ preaching in today’s readings need to listen more and talk less. Jesus is telling us that if we know the truth, the truth will set us free. In our age of AI instantaneous information, we need to discern what is truth from emotional meanderings or stubborn viewpoints. After his cannonball experience, St. Ignatius spent his life following God’s call in his discernment. In his writings, he cautions us not to be overwhelmed by the glitzy, not to be duped into untruths, and not to follow the shallow powerful. Isn’t this the message that Daniel and Jesus are communicating in today’s readings?



    Prior to being thrown into the furnace, the three young men were supported by their deep experience of God—an experience that generated their faith. I am sure that the prospect of physical pain frightened them, but their faith in God grounded them. Often, we, too, are called to be heroic in our daily lives: listening more before offering advice, giving people the benefit of our doubts, educating ourselves with a global perspective.



    Jesus’ life and preaching disturb his contemporary Scribes and Pharisees. They do not really know his origin. In addition, his preaching and miracles blow their minds to the point of envy and violence. Perhaps, their ignorance of Jesus’ background is an invitation to us to deepen our knowledge of and relationship with Jesus.



    In these last two weeks of Lent, we journey with the catechumens who will become full members of the Church. Consequently, this is both a solemn and energizing time for us to renew our own Baptismal vows, to re-examine our own motives behind words and action; a time to open our arms wider to embrace the emotionally, spiritually, and financially poor.



Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart

and yield a harvest through perseverance. Luke 8:15