40 Shades of Lent, Wednesday, Week-V, 10 April 2019
Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95///John 8:31-42
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.
John 8:31-32
Very often Lord Jesus, when you talk of us being set free, we feel like the people of your time bragging
…we have never been enslaved to anyone.
John 8:33
Very often, Lord, we feel so proud to claim being one with you, truly serving you when in fact we are enslaved by so many pleasures in life.
There are many ways of serving you, of being free for you, of being faithful to you.
But there is only one sure way of being enslaved: when we desire to please our very selves and others.
Like in the first reading, it is very easy to please King Nebuchadnezzar in serving false gods, thinking these would not harm us, that we can control ourselves, that we would not completely fall into it. There are many instances we think that with these modern times with the modern thoughts and modern ways of life sweeping all around us, just a little pleasure would not mean anything at all, would never have a control over us until we are trapped, enslaved, and have lost everything.
Knowing the truth is being one with you, O Lord: remaining in you, staying with you. Loving you, serving you. Through others. Not pleasing myself. Amen.
