Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent - March 26, 2019

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Daniel 3:25, 34-43  Matthew 18:21-35

For our first reading today, we are given the Prayer of Azariah. This prayer comes from the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, three Hebrew men of high government office who were cast into a furnace by King Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon for refusing to worship his idol. After being thrown into the furnace, the three men are seen walking around in the furnace unharmed, having been rescued by an angel. Perhaps what is most striking and challenging about the prayer offered by Azariah is his admission that the Hebrews have been “brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins.” Azariah has just been cast into a furnace for his religion, yet he does not mention the oppression of the Hebrews at the hands of the Babylonians. Azariah’s forbearance from casting blame and his willingness to reflect on the sins of his own people are worthy of emulation. Like the Hebrews in the book of Daniel, we live in turbulent and pessimistic times, in which it is easy to find fault with others while remaining blind to our own sins. Like Azariah, we must preserve our faculties of restraint and reflection.

It is worth discussing the context of the reading further, particularly the capriciousness of Nebuchadnezzer. Nebuchadnezzer has been so infuriated by the three Hebrews’ refusal to worship his idol that he decides to have them executed even though they are important government officials whom he himself appointed. However, after the three men are raised from the furnace, he acknowledges the supremacy of the God of Israel and decrees that anyone who blasphemes against the God of Israel shall be cut into pieces. Here, Nebuchadnezzer’s fickleness may be contrasted with the constancy of God. Azariah appeals to this constancy in his prayer, beseeching God not to “make void your covenant.” It is worth remembering God’s constancy in our daily lives. Tumultuous times often put the fickleness of humanity on full display. During such times, it is especially important to repent and to remain focused on the constancy of God’s mercy.

Q:  Where do you see the fickleness of humanity today? How have you witnessed God’s constancy and enduring mercy during difficult times in your life?

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