Old Testament: Daniel 3:14–20, 24–28
Gospel: John 8:31–42
Canticle [2] or 13
“Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up?’” Daniel 3:14
I’m compelled to begin this meditation with an account of how my cousins’ dog came to be named Nebs. The name Nebs came from a character in today’s reading, King Nebuchadnezzar. My cousins, aunt, and uncle weren’t regular churchgoers. They lived out in the country, but somehow came to know this Old Testament story and were impressed by the King’s name. My aunt Martha is the likeliest candidate for the name choice.
After I had read the passage a few times, I began to be impressed with The King as well. From what we know, he had total power in the land, and with considerable ego had ordered a gigantic gold statue to be made which would serve the need for pagan worship. So then this statue was placed in the plain of Dura in Babylon and King Nebs ordered his subjects to worship said statue, or else. I believe the statue was his alter-ego, and for the King, served his need for a sense of permanent adoration from his subjects.
Enter Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Jews who held positions of authority in Babylon and would be held to obedience of the order to bow before the gold statue. In fact, the king told them if they did not worship his likeness, they would be thrown into the fiery furnace. Word gets back to the King that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego aren’t doing as ordered, and King Nebs has them brought in so he can make sure these valued fellows understand that the order applies to them, same as all the others.
Well, you might know how this plays out: they refuse to follow the King’s order, are thrown into the furnace, heated seven times greater than is customary, and yet, are spared a burning death, protected by Yaweh.
Here is the point that I am impressed with concerning the king. Humans with authoritarian inclination and powers do not appreciate being subjected to another power, especially one greater than their own. When King Nebs is faced with the disobedience of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and is shown the saving power of Yaweh, he finds it possible to change his mind. What an amazing act of self-awareness this is! He saw the events that had transpired before his eyes, and accepted the reality that what he had come to believe about himself was not the final truth. He made room in his reality for something outside himself that he didn’t fully understand.
I pray that, during Lent and ever after, we all may grow in self-awareness, becoming more conscious, leading us to greater compassion and peace.
Roger Conville
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