In today’s first reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel, we have more of the background story as to why his three companions were thrown into the fiery furnace which was set to burn seven times hotter than normal due to the Babylonian King’s rage. The stubbornness of the three young men to fall to their knees and worship him as a god shattered his ego.
In both readings we have some commonalities and links. Through pride and a lust for power and honour, Nebuchadnezzar wanted the adulation and worship of the people. In the gospel, the persecutors of Jesus who wanted to kill him, honoured themselves and prided themselves as being sons of Abraham. In both cases, this pride shuts us down to the message God wishes to give us and to the promptings of the Holy Spirit within us. Yet he keeps knocking.
The three young men thrown into the furnace weren’t afraid to face death so as to remain faithful to the one and true God. Jesus continues to speak the truth even though they wanted his demise and death. Courage in the face of persecution. Where does it come from? How did Stephen, this young man with his whole life ahead of him, have the courage to speak the powerful words of the Holy Spirit to that mob who held large stones in their hands? From where did St Maria Goretti receive the courage to forgive Alessandro, her murderer while she was dying? In the first Preface of Martyrs during Holy Mass we read:
“… in our weakness you perfect your power and on the feeble bestow strength to bear you witness, through Christ our Lord.”
Hence, the courage comes from God, through Christ. All the courage of the martyrs comes from Christ, who gave the Church an example of the power and value of sacrificial love, agape love.
Jesus spoke to them about the truth concerning our loving Father and the fact that they did not know him. They thought they knew him, but had they listened to Jesus, they’d have gotten more clarity on who God actually is and what it is he desires. They preferred their own ways, and trusted in their own minds. How many times do we do the same? We say we want him to lead us but we do not pray. We say we want to do better but we don’t make those little changes we need to. Are we any better than this crowd who listened to Jesus’ words but failed to interiorize them?
Jesus himself said to them: “I know that you are descended from Abraham; but in spite of that you want to kill me because nothing I say has penetrated into you.”
- “Nothing I say has penetrated.”
For many, God’s voice gets quieter until finally it’s muted through the many other voices that inundate us. It happens very subtly to believers in that sometimes they don’t even notice! We don’t realize we’re ignoring God. He’s been speaking, but we’re phased out, numb to his voice and so we make terrible mistakes that otherwise we would have avoided had we listened. We notice that today’s gospel starts off with telling us who Jesus is addressing: “Those who had believed in him.”
Obviously, given the context, what the evangelist means is that they had once believed, but no longer do, since Jesus is now saying these same people wish to put him to death. Saint John Chrysostom explains it like this:
“ Our Lord wished to try the faith of those who believed, that it might not be only a superficial belief: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed in Him, If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed. His saying, if you continue, made it manifest what was in their hearts. He knew that some believed, and would not continue.”
It is so important therefore, for we who believe, to be careful that we do not take this faith given to us so generously be taken for granted, lest we lose it. Gradually, the enemy wishes to snuff out God’s voice in our hearts and minds, removing any trace by replacing it with illusory, deceitful, misleading and destructive voices.
What do we do about this? Well, we have to guard it, like a treasure, and what would we do in any relationship that is strained? We would probably want to improve the communication, correct? We would need to focus so as to relate better. There could very well be communication, but what kind? Jesus and the people giving him a hard time were communicating, but evidently none of Jesus’ words were getting through. Hence, there are a number of things in communication that are essential, and of course when we apply this to God, we are talking about prayer for the most part.
So what are those things in good, normal communication that we can apply to prayer so as to better have fruitful and constructive dialogue with the Lord? A focused (and concentrated) respect (give him a chance to speak to us and not always make a prayer a monologue and solely about what we wish to say to him), asking for forgiveness, patience (because his ways are not ours, we will need patience, as he is patient with us), trust, love and clarity (specificity in our requests and thanksgiving) are just a few aspects.
We neither have the time or space in this homily to go into each of these as each would need a book of their own to fully delve into, however, let’s try to keep these things in our minds as we try to apply them to our relationship with God, and we will be all the better for it. May the Lord grant you his peace this day and let his countenance shine upon you. Peace and good!
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Yes, God’s word Cannot enter if there is no space, if Our hearts are cluttered, too many voices, too many distractions too many attachments. Even when His Word enters our heart, there must be humility and obedience,… “Not everyone who says lord lord, ….
Thank you Fr. for these insights and reminders
How many times I complained that I couldn’t feel His presence and it was never, never His fault but mine. I talk too much, I always have something to tell Him. I forget that He has a soothing, beautiful and gentle voice when I ask Him to speak because I am ready to listen and surrender…