DAILY HOMILIES #Shadrach

To emphasise the importance of trusting only in God, Jeremiah says in today’s First Reading, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from God.” Today’s Responsorial Psalm also echoes: “Blessed is the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.” In today’s Second Reading, St. Paul mentions another reason to trust God: Jesus kept His promise about rising from the dead. God never promises and fails. Since Jesus rose from the dead, we know that the promises of the Beatitudes are genuine. If we are persecuted for righteousness (if we weep now), our reward will be great in heaven.

The Jews were determined to kill Jesus (just as Nebuchadnezzar wanted to kill the boys), not knowing that death was not the end but only the beginning of a greater life. The three Hebrew boys entered the fire as slaves of the King, but when they came out of the fiery burning furnace, they became gods to the King. Jesus willingly embraced death on the cross, but when He came out of the fire of death, He shone brightly.