One of the learnings that we are discovering in the midst of this period of social isolation is the importance of relationships, especially the relationships we have with the other members of our families and the relationship we have with our God. Each one of these is deeply personal: which is to say that each one of our relationships is profoundly connected to our own personal development. Some of these relationships are definitely being strengthened during this time, and that is very good.
Evidence of the power of relationships is found in both the readings proposed for our prayer today. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are faithful followers of the God of Israel. Already, before this encounter, they had discovered the joy of establishing and strengthening a personal relationship with God. Perhaps they had learned to speak with God as humans might speak with trusted friends. On the other hand, King Nebuchadnezzar had no such personal relationship. Instead, he and his people would worship a golden statue (cf Dan 3:14-15), a man-made object.
As long as we have not discovered the truth of God's desire to live in relationship with us, we too will always think - at some level - of God in an way similar to that King, but our God is not made known to us in statues. The statues that decorate our churches and our homes are reminders of people who have discovered the truth about our God: that our God is alive and active in our world, that our God wants a personal relationship with each one of us so that we too can know the joy and fulfillment of seeing our faith come alive.
Jesus tried to teach this truth to the Jews who believed in Him: '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 8:31-32). If we remain in God's word - if we have discovered the truth that our God is not a statue to be worshiped but a living reality who wants to love us and help us to discover the fulfillment that comes from being in a relationship with Him - we will truly be his disciples.
Perhaps it has taken a pandemic, a worldwide crisis, to make us hear these words in this way. Perhaps without having been forced to rediscover the treasure with which we have been entrusted in the relationships we have discovered, we might have gone on thinking that life was defined by the number of golden statues we worship, but thankfully, this Lent, we are being invited to discover anew the beauty of living in relationships with others and with our God.
Have a great day.
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