I Could Never Do That!

Posted: 31 Mar 2009 09:00 PM PDT
Dn 3:14-20,91-92,95 / Jn 8:31-42
Throughout history there are abundant examples of people who succumbed to the threats and torments of torturers and confessed to all manner of non-existent crimes or agreed to do all kinds of dreadful things that were contrary to their beliefs. How overwhelming and paralyzing their fears must have been. We can only wonder what we’d have done in their place.
But once in a while we confront real heroes, like the three young men in today’s reading from the prophet Daniel. Standing at the very door of a raging furnace, they spoke to the king, “If God will save us from the white-hot furnace, may He do so. But even if He will not, we will not worship the golden statue which you set up.”

“I could never do that,” we say, and we’re right. We couldn’t, but God living and working deep within us can do that, if we give Him free reign. Remember what St. Paul said, “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.” And so can we, but first we have to ask, and ask honestly, with all our heart: “Strengthen me Lord to do your will.”
That is a prayer, when prayed wholeheartedly, that is always answered!