By Amala William csc –
Readings: Dan 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Jn 8:31-42
The readings of the day portray to us two types of people’s situation: the faithful and the faithless people’s deliverance and freedom.
In the first reading from the book of Daniel, we have a daring testimony by three young men-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in front of King Nebuchadnezzar, who were fearless on account of their faith in God.
The mighty God delivered them from the danger of death. In the gospel, Jesus dialogues with the Jews about their enslavement to sinfulness and questions their core belief of identifying themselves as descendants of Abraham.
As Indians, we have been under imperialistic power. Once we gained independence, everyone thought that we would be a free nation forever. But the reality of the modern terms and conditions is that under the fancy suits, we remain bonded laborers. The internal and external deliverance can only come from our Lord.
In today’s readings, we find the contrast between believers and non-believers, who received their portion of reward accordingly. The warning from the gospel is clear for all of us. At times I take the name of the Lord proudly saying that ‘I am a Christian, who knows the way to attain salvation.’ If my belief does not bear witness to the Lord by loving and serving his people, then I merely remain a namesake Christian who is corrupt in the affairs of the world and imprisoned by the evils around me. Therefore, let us ask the Lord to set us free from our past and present baggage so that we may believe and become like him in our daily life.