+ The readings today are dramatic, vivacious and vital to
our spiritual growth and maturity. They challenge us to be willing to be “put into
the white-hot furnace heated seven times its normal capacity” – as an attempt
to sear out, blast out, and burn out the relationship of the faithful with
their “God” – the One God of Creation, the God of Salvation, the God who offers
us a blessed bliss in eternal pastures forever.
The three young men are
classic in their response to the King, “we
will not serve your god or worship the golden statue that you have set up.” And
so, they were tossed into the furnace – but were unscathed, untouched by the lapping
flames – in fact they were observed to be walking and talking in the depts of
the inferno to “one who looked like a “son of God” – yes, it no doubt was THE
SON OF GOD! – the CHRIST of the Universe, before he was even conceived or born!
Jesus gives us the power to
withstand any Passion that might come our way during the course of our
lives. Even more than one – maybe even
seven – the seven-times heated furnace. But through it all Jesus will be in the
depths of our souls, our beings, our mind and hearts that cannot be disturbed
by anything that can happen to the body – and we will never be tried beyond our
limits. He is there, he will console us, soothe us, instruct us, and even
entertain us – to distract us from the whirring fires and firestorms that are
all around us.
The times in which we live are
indeed filling fast with the whirring sounds of threatened nuclear weapons,
bombs exploding, children being murdered, a worldly government system in place
that defies even superlative comments these days – based on a presidency that
has run amuck since the first moment of its launching.
And the very hierarchical
structure of the Church cannot be excused either for the collective, calculated
and conspiratorial efforts to move the Church in a wrong and morally intrepid
direction.
We need to decide, my friends
“Do we want to be free,(free as the guys in the furnace) really free by having
truth set us free, BUT, the truth that can be none other than the PERSON of
Jesus Christ – who walks with us in the flames of life – God’s very speech –
which can neither deceive nor be deceived – become flesh?
Subjective truth will
strangle, suffocate and kill this type of believer. “My truth” will lead this
believer to the real fiery pit, in a fire that is heated infinitely more hot
than normal – where this believer will reside totally alone and roasted–
forever.
The choice the decision is
yours: Love Jesus, love his Father, love all your brothers and sisters, help
them, forgive them, lay down your life for them: and you will be free, really
and truly FREE!
Blessed
are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest
through perseverance.
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