3rd week in Lent, Tuesday – 14th March 2023 – Daniel 3,25.34-43; Mt 18,21-35
Prayer of Winning God’s Favour
The first reading from the Book of Daniel presents the prayer of Azariah, one among the three Jewish men thrown into the fiery furnace for following the teachings of his own beliefs rather than the command to worship the golden statue set up in Babylon by the King Nebuchadnezzar. This is one of the most beautiful and sincere prayers in the Bible, expressing the contrite heart and humble spirit of the people accepted by God. It is Azariah’s prayer of seeking God’s forgiveness and gentleness. In this prayer, Azariah realizes that the Jewish people are in exile and are suffering because of their past unfaithfulness to God. Due to which, they are experiencing the loss of the temple, their inability to practice their regular religious activities, even the loss of their religious leadership: “No leader, no prophet, no prince, no holocaust, no sacrifice, no incense, no place where we can offer you the first-fruits and win you favour.” Azariah offers this prayer with a contrite heart and a humble spirit. He pleads with God to remember the promises made to the descendants of Abraham and not to deal with the people as their sins deserve. The three young men hoped that a truly repentant heart would win God’s forgiveness. They put themselves totally at the feet of God’s mercy and compassion.
