Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Lenten Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 Daniel 3:52-56 John 8:31-42

Daniel 3:95 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.

We often rationalize our decisions when we are faced with what appears to be a no win situation. These three men, however, chose what appeared to be a certain death. They were willing to do this even if their God would not save them. They would still not worship a false god, even if it meant their death.

I don't know how many of us are willing to make that decision today. Yes, we may die for a loved one, or a noble cause. But how easy it would be to just bow down and stay a live. How many times during the day do we just bow down when we hear the music play? How many time do we give in to protect our lives the way we see them? How many times do we try to just stay alive rather than uphold the name of the Living God?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be filled with the faith and the fire inside to be willing to endure the fire outside rather than compromise the faith.

Amen