Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Jesus said: “My people, over the years you have read the lives of many saints who were martyred and gave up their lives instead of renouncing their faith in God. In today’s first reading you had Shadrach, Mishach, and Abdenago that were faithful to the God of Israel. They openly refused to bow down and worship the gold idol of the king, even though they were threatened to be thrown into the white, hot furnace. When they were thrown into the furnace, an angel came and protected them. (Daniel 3:1-97) My faithful also are persecuted today, but not always with the threat of death. It is important in your own society that you have courage to stand up against the immoralities of your day in abortion, fornication, pornography, and many more abusive sins as living together, and homosexual acts. In the vision of refining silver it also means that you must be purified by testing to clean up your life from any sinful habits. Once you are made strong by My grace of forgiveness, then you will have the courage to defend your faith, even if you may have to die for it. Be grateful to Me for your gift of faith, and guard it with your life so you can be with Me in heaven.”