+ During the past couple of days, the gospel passage has Jesus associating himself more and more with his Father. It is important to connect the two persons so that Jesus himself can give credit where it is due. It was apparent even to Jesus that what he said and did were amazing – but he was only saying and doing what was given him by the Father, he was only obeying his Father (and ours). When we say and do good things, the kind of things that Jesus taught us – then, by rights, we ought not take credit ourselves for the good done – but give the credit and the glory to God because it is where it belongs: even any thought of doing good let alone the actual doing of it comes from God and not us!
And so, because the Jewish people have mistakenly identified Jesus as one who is acting on his own for his own glory – they miss the whole point of his reality among them and mission. Jesus is the expression of the Father's love and willingness to enter into a process of reconciliation. Jesus is here because he was sent, and he agreed to come – for us and for our salvation!
When Jesus tells these people who he is and how in faith they ought to realize that they are related to him, and that if they were sons of Abraham they would recognize both him and his Father connected to him: they would stop trying to kill him: but they refuse to see – and it remains to their shame.
In the first reading, we see what happens to those who faithfully obey what God has put forth, who are tested by many trials, and who remain steadfast no matter what happens: even the prospect of being thrown into a white hot furnace. The three youth in the reading testify to us that God really is who he says he is; that fidelity to him matters; and that he truly helps those who trust in him and obey him come what may – even white hot furnaces.
Glory and praise to God forever – shout the three youth; shout us this holy day of Lent! Blessed are they who persevere, come what may!
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