Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to stand up for their beliefs, for their faith in the One True God. The reward was to be thrown into the hot furnace. In that furnace, they may have uttered words similar to that of the repentant thief: “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk 23:42). The response was experiencing paradise in the heart of the furnace. What is the furnace we are experiencing today? It can be our life circumstances. The response we choose to give could result in either a heaven or a hell experience. The words of today’s Gospel Proclamation stand true in these circumstances; “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Jn 8:31) We can choose to allow our circumstances to control us and be slaves to it or we could allow the Word of God to set us free in the heart of those circumstances. Today’s readings remind us to make the Word of God our home in the midst of any situation.

Prayer: Abba Father, I choose to follow you. I choose to give my ‘Yes’ to you. Amen.