Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/380

 Fortitude. It is  impossible  not  to  admire  the  fortitude  of  the  three young men,  whereby  they  remained  true  to  their  faith,  and  refused  to worship  idols  in  spite  of  the  king’s  terrible  threats. If they  had  bowed down before  the  golden  image  they  would  have  denied  their  faith  in the  true  God,  and  have  been  guilty  of  idolatry. But they  feared  God more than  the  king,  and  loved  Him  more  than  aught  else;  so  they preferred to  be  burnt  to  death  rather  than  offend  Him  grievously. The abstinence which  these  noble  youths  had  for  so  long  practised  enabled them to  attain  to  heroic  fortitude. Their unfailing  temperance  confirmed them  in  the  fear  and  love  of  God,  and  prepared  them  for  the grace of  martyrdom. Finally, their  fortitude  was  rewarded  by  God saving them  from  death  in  a wonderful  way.

Resignation to  Gods  will.  The  example  of  the  three  young  men shows us  that  real  confidence  in  God  must  be  united  with  an  entire resignation to  His  will. They trusted  firmly:  “God  can  save  us  if  He will”,  said  they,  and  they  also  prayed  to  be  saved;  but  they  left  it entirely  to  God  whether  He  would  save  them  or  not,  and  declared  that in no  case  would  they  worship  the  idol.

Prayer of  praise  and  thanksgiving.  When  God  saved  the  three  youths from death  by  means  of  His  angel,  they  began  with  a loud  voice  to praise  and  thank  God. We too  ought  always  to  praise  and  thank  Him when we  receive  benefits,  or  are  saved  from  danger.

The three  theological  virtues  of  faith,  hope  and  charity  were  most perfectly practised  by  the  three  youths.

Denial of  faith.  In  conclusion  I will  put  to  you  one  question: Ought not  the  three  young  men  to  have  obeyed  the  king’s  command? Ought they  not  to  have  said  to  themselves:  “It  would  not  be  right to offend  the  king,  who  has  been  so  good  to  us,  and  who  has  entrusted us with  important  posts. We will,  therefore,  outwardly  conform  to his  wishes,  and  prostrate  ourselves;  but  in  our  hearts  we  will  despise the idol,  and  worship  the  true  God?”  Ought  they  not  to  have  acted thus? No! for  they  would  have  outwardly  denied  their  faith,  and  have led the  pagans  to  think  that  they  believed  in  Bel.

Pray to  the  Almighty  and  All-wise  God  with the deepest  reverence. Give yourself  confidently  over  to  His  wise and good  Providence,  for  He  governs  the  lives  of  individuals  and of nations  as  He  will. Say with  St. Paul (Rom. 11,  33 — 36):  “O the depth  of  the  riches  of  the  wisdom  and  of  the  knowledge  of God! How incomprehensible  are  His  judgments  and  how  unsearchable His  ways. . . For of  Him  and  by  Him  and  in  Him are all  things;  to  Him  be  glory  for  ever!”

Are you  as  ready  as  were  Ananias,  Misael  and  Azarias  to suffer  death  rather  than  offend  God? If you  are  not  so  decided,