The first reading describes a dramatic contest about the identity of the true God, in which Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego show their willingness to suffer death rather than worship a god other than the God of Israel. It happened when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, set up a huge golden statue in the plain of Dura, and ordered a dedication ceremony where everyone was required to prostrate and worship the statue. The punishment for failing to do so was to be cast into a white-hot furnace. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to do this. When questioned by the king, they expressed both their hope that their God will deliver them and, if necessary, were willing to die for their belief. The reading then describes what happens to the three young men and how they were delivered by God.

In the Gospel passage, Jesus teaches that only those who live in the "truth" can truly be free and live as God's children. Through the "truth", the Christian grows in freedom from sin. To "commit sin" is to let oneself be dominated by the evil power that sets itself against the will of God. Sin is the rejection of Christ, who is the "truth", while by accepting him, the Christian is liberated from sin. Therefore, Jesus reminds us that it is not enough to claim that we are the children of God. We have to believe in him and accept him as the "truth". We have to freely and totally submit ourselves to God and to Christ. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to do so. What about you?