WEDNESDAY MARCH 24, 2021
FIRST READING
“God sent his angel and delivered his servants! "
Reading from the book of the prophet Daniel (3, 14-20.91-92.95)
In those days King Nebuchadnezzar spoke thus: “Is it true, Sidrac, Misac and Abdénago, that you refuse to serve my gods and to worship the golden statue which I have erected? Are you ready now to bow down to worship the statue I made, when you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the zither, the harp, the lyre, the bagpipe and all? the kinds of instruments? If you do not worship this statue, you will immediately be cast into the fiery furnace; and who is the god who will deliver you from my hand? "Sidrac, Misac and Abdénago said to king Nebuchadnezzar:" It is not for us to answer you. If our God whom we serve can deliver us, he will deliver us from the fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. And even if he doesn't, be sure, O king: we will not serve your gods, we will not worship the golden statue you set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury against Sidrac, Misac and Abdenago, and his face changed. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual. Then he ordered the most vigorous of his soldiers to tie up Sidrac, Misac and Abdénago and throw them into the blazing furnace.
King Nebuchadnezzar heard them sing. Stunned, he stood up hastily and said to his advisers: "Did we throw three men tied up in the middle of the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king." He continued: "Well, I see four men walking freely in the midst of the fire, they are perfectly unharmed, and the fourth looks like a divine being. "And Nebuchadnezzar cried out:" Blessed be the God of Sidrac, Misac and Abdénago, who sent his angel and delivered his servants! They put their trust in him, and they disobeyed the king's command; they surrendered their bodies rather than serving and worshiping a god other than their God. "
The Word of the Lord.
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