Many people think that to believe in God is to be burdened with rules and commandments, which can cause a person to lose the ability to choose and do what they please and, therefore, lose their freedom. However, today's Scripture readings present a contradictory picture to this way of thinking.

In the first reading, we are presented with the contest between Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon about the identity of the true God. Though faced with the threat of death, the three young men were free not to obey the commandments of God and worship the golden statue as ordered by the king. However, the young men firmly exercised their freedom and chose to suffer death, expressing their hope that God would help them and, if necessary, their willingness to die.

In the Gospel passage, we are presented with the true identity of Jesus. The question at hand is, "what is the relationship of Jesus to the Father?" The Jews argue that if Jesus is the Son of God, what do they become who refuse to believe in Him? They plead that Abraham is their father and that through him, they are related to God. Jesus challenges their claims because they cannot be true children of God since they do not believe in him. Jesus explains that true freedom is the life of faith in Jesus himself and in submission to His word, that is, by being free from sin, and more importantly, by living as children of God.