The lesson behind the story of the three young men who are thrown into the fiery furnace is that God protects those who remain faithful to Him. God's protection can work in different ways, either by preventing the danger as in our story, or by bringing those who are faithful to Him safely through the danger.

In this regard the reading from Daniel shows the faith of the young men who were ready to die rather than worship the idol. Our faith in God, motivates us to believe that He will bring us safely through the furnace of trials and difficulties to a peaceful situation. This was the experience of Jesus. He walked unharmed in the midst of the fiery furnace of antagonism and intrigues of His enemies, especially since He cured the cripple on the Sabbath (Jn. 5:1-16).

In today's Gospel He challenges His listeners to accept His word of truth and so become free, but they would not as they preferred to live in their lives and be slaves of Satan. As such, they lead Him to His Passion and Death - the fiery furnace. Nevertheless He remained protective despite the flames of hatred and anger and change of heart of all who look on Him with faith and love. He forgave them. He draws all who look on Him with faith and love and brings about a change of heart. A heart that loves rather than hate!