Glory and praise for ever! — Daniel 3:52

Mass Readings: Exodus 19:1-2,9-11,16-20 / Matthew 13:10-17 

Glory and Praise 

Today’s responsorial psalm is the prayer uttered by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the Book of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar built a golden statue and ordered the people to fall down and worship it. When the three young men refused to do so, they were cast into a white-hot furnace to die. Instead, they walked around in the furnace, singing and blessing the Lord until the king, seeing that they were unharmed, had them released. Then he proclaimed, “There is no other God who can rescue like this” (Dn 3:96). 

It’s not likely I’ll to be cast into a furnace for failing to honor the priorities of a secular society, but I still need the reminder to keep God first at all times: “Blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.”

Prayer: Lord God, remind me to praise You and exalt You above all else.