Reflection for Wednesday of the 5th Sunday of Lent
(Dan 3:14-20,24-25,28; Jn 8:31-42)
Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the idol set up by King
Nebuchadnezzar. They remained true to their faith in God despite death threats
by the King. Their faith was exemplary. And God sent His Angel to deliver them
from the fiery furnace.
Faith
in God liberates! “Stand up and go your way. Your faith has saved you” (Lk 17:19).
But such faith that brings freedom must be true, which equally implies that it
must be consistent even in the face of difficulties or opposition. “God is
spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn 4:24). True
faith in God does not place the self or human need first; it is inspired by
love of God, which has been poured into our hearts through Jesus Christ (cf. Rm
5:5).
“Christ
set us free, so that we should remain free. Stand firm, then, and do not let
yourselves be fastened again to the yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1). Now, the faith
that saves finds its concrete expression as authentic relationship in Christ
Jesus. So we follow Him as the Way, and live out His life as the Truth (cf. Jn
14:6). In Jesus we have truth and freedom. But how can we to acquire them?
Jesus
said in the Gospel of today, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my
disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (Jn
8:31). Anyone who lives by the Word of God follows Jesus as His disciple. And he
enjoys freedom. Sin enslaves! Dishonesty has locked many people in all kinds of
bondage. The immediate effect of this, is inconsistency in thought, words,
action and behaviour. Thus, ‘restlessness’ bespeaks of certain underlying
dishonesty. “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to
sin. The slave does not continue in the house for ever; the son continues for
ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (Jn 8:34-36).
Let
us be true to Jesus Christ today, and enjoy His freedom.
Fr
Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Ss
Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi,
Lagos.
Wednesday
April 10th, 2019.
