Diocese of Toledo, Ohio

Browsing From the Pastor

The truth will set you free.

April 1st Reflection from Father Matt

One of the most vivid and well-known passages in the Old Testament is that of the three men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down and worship the idol, the false god of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. What happens to them in the furnace? They are completely unharmed and unaffected by the fire and joined by an angel, and Nebuchadnezzar that the God of the Israelites is the true God. The words of the three men are moving: “If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may He save us! But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue that you set up.”

What great trust! Even if they were not delivered, their devotion remained with God; they adamantly refused to turn anywhere else for deliverance and for hope. May we turn away from the unnoticed idols of our lives, and turn ardently to the Lord, our God as our deliverer and our hope. Jesus' words from St. John's Gospel today provide a pathway: “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.” Remain in the ways of Jesus Christ, give all of your devotion to Him, place all of your hope in Him, and you will know the truth: Jesus Christ is Lord! Placing our hope in Him, we are set free: free from fear, free from anxiety, free from sin and death. Jesus, I trust in You!

Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas
Grant me grace, O merciful God, to desire ardently all that is pleasing to You, to examine it prudently, to acknowledge it truthfully, and to accomplish it perfectly for the praise and glory of Your name. Amen.

Prayer for Peace by St. John of the Cross
O blessed Jesus, give me stillness of soul in You. Let your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O You, King of Gentleness, King of Peace. Amen.

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