Gospel Reading:  John 8:31-42

31 He said to the Jews who believed, "If you keep and obey My Word, then you are My followers for sure. 32 You will know the truth and the truth will make you free."

33 They said to Jesus, "We are children of Abraham. We have never been servants to anyone. What do you mean when You say, 'You will be free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "For sure, I tell you, everyone who sins is the servant of sin because sin has a hold on him. 35 And the servant does not belong in the house. The son belongs in the house. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free for sure.

 37 "I know that you are the children of Abraham. But you want to kill Me because My Word is not in your hearts. 38 I speak of what I saw when I was with My Father. You do what you have seen your father do."

 39 They said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said, "If you were children of Abraham, you would do what he did. 40 I am a Man Who has told you the truth as I heard it from God. Now you are trying to kill Me. Abraham never did anything like that. 41 You are doing the works of your father." They said to Him, "We were born of parents who were faithful in marriage. We have one Father. He is God."

 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your father, you would love Me. I came from God. I did not come on My own, but God sent Me.

Old Testament Reading: Daniel 3:14-20,91-92,95

14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the object of gold that I have set up? 17 If we are thrown into the fire, our God Whom we serve is able to save us from it. And He will save us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the object of gold that you have set up." 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with anger, and he looked at Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego with an angry face. He had the fire made seven times hotter than it was.

Meditation: The world presents us with a false notion of truth and freedom – "truth is relative so I choose my own criteria for what is true" and freedom means “I can do whatever I please – regardless of what God or others might think.” This is really a mask for slavery to one’s passions and unruly desires. Jesus offers his disciples true freedom – freedom from slavery to pride and arrogance – disbelief and ignorance – selfishness and greed – hatred and revenge – fear and anxiety – despair and depression – and a host of many other hurtful desires and addictions which cripple our lives. The good news is that Jesus Christ has truly set us free from sin and its destructive force in our lives. How is this possible? Through the gift and power of the Holy Spirit we can choose to renounce sin and we can yield to God's grace which enables us to walk each day and each moment in Christ’s way of love and holiness. A disciple is a follower and a listener. If we want to follower Christ and live as his disciples, then we must listen to the words of Jesus, with a humble and teachable spirit. As we listen with faith and obey with trust, Christ himself gives us grace – the enabling power of his Holy Spirit – to live, think, and act in the truth of his word. Do you believe in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to change your life and to set you free to walk in Christ's way of love and holiness? .

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, write your words of love and truth upon my heart and make me a diligent student and a worthy disciple of your word."

Psalm 18: 25-27