Daniel 3: 14-20, 91-92, 95, Daniel 3: 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, John 8: 31-42
Daniel's story of the three heroes with those unpronounceable names, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, seemed very remote when I read it. In my lifetime no one, let alone a king like Nebuchadnezzar, has offered me the choice between bowing down to a golden statue and a fiery death in an overheated oven. And yet — think again— am I not tempted daily to pay homage to materialism, hedonism, egoism promoted by other self appointed kings. Do I do what Jesus would have me do with reluctance or even apologies? How brave am I in practicing detachment in the face of all those enticing philosophies? Is my faith strong enough to carry me through those fires?
How did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego manage to walk forward praising God and not looking back? I like to think it helped that there were three of them, marching shoulder to shoulder like soldiers in combat with each looking to his companions for support and encouragement.
When we join hands for the Our Father in Mass I feel the strength and spirit of my fellow worshipers on the journey. I want to believe that the faith and fortitude engendered by our unity is part of the miracle of our spiritual survival just as it was for Daniel's heroes.
Eleanor Sheehy widow, mother of six, grandmother of thirteen
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