Withstanding the Fires

The story of Nebuchadnezzar throwing Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into a flaming furnace for failing to bow down to his golden idol and the Gospel passage from John describing Jews who wished to arrest him and Jesus' subsequent response to them share the same theme. That goal is not only to trust in God but to walk with him through this world. Though expressed in different ways, this shared understanding is both responses to extreme situations. The fire Jesus faced was one of emotion. A “righteousness” that fueled passions and beliefs. In many ways, the actions of Nebuchadnezzar and the Jews described in the gospel of John are the authors of their vision of the world.

We, too, are the authors of our world vision. A vision that has provided and benefited many humans while it has left behind or harmed others. Our world is fraught with stress and danger. We struggle with the war in Ukraine, political polarization, food insecurity, famine, plague, unexpected storms, floods, droughts, and fires. The fires that Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego faced brought to mind the wildfires that California, Colorado, and recently Texas have faced. The gospel account reminded me that we are not alone.

Genesis reveals the story of God’s creation. St. Ignatius taught us that God is in all things. In Genesis, God affirms that humanity shall preside over all that God created. God is present in every living creature on the earth, every blade of grass, every tree, the rocks, earth, and water. The essence of God was not simply infused into humans but into everything that God created. As well as every human being, no matter who they are or what they believe, God is there. We can talk about dominion or stewardship in caring for creation, but in truth, it is both. In Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si and Catholic Social Teaching, we are called to care for creation. It is the gift God gave to humans at the beginning of our existence. We must rise to the level of care to protect and defend the existence of the earth on which we live and those who inhabit it. Human dignity soars in care for creation, for we do not just care for one but all. The fires that surround us can be surmounted if we remember the God that walks with us. Our God stands in the fires, in the margins, in the very moment we are besieged. St. Ignatius and his companions provided a template to walk with God, to be a companion to Christ. God and Jesus are our companions at all times, not just in moments of danger or fear but at all times.

We can rectify the danger to our lives, our planet, and all living beings we encounter. As long as we remember, God stands with us, Jesus, our companion; we can withstand the fires and move forward as we care for others.

Author: Michele Elchlepp, Theology Department