The 24th of March, 2021 is Wednesday in the Fifth Week of Lent. The Bible scriptures for the holy mass readings for this day came from the 2021 Liturgical Calendar.
Reading 1: DN 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
The first reading from the Book of Daniel with Greek Portions.
Nebuchadnezzar answered them, “Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don’t serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, good; but if you don’t worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the middle of a burning fiery furnace. Who is that god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.”
Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the form of his appearance was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished and rose up in haste. He spoke and said to his counselors, “Didn’t we cast three men bound into the middle of the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O king.”
He answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.”
Responsorial Psalm: DN 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
Response: To be praised and exalted above all forever!
“Blessed are you, O Lord, you God of our fathers, to be praised and exalted above all forever!”
R: To be praised and exalted above all forever!
“Blessed is your glorious and holy name, to be praised and exalted above all forever!”
R: To be praised and exalted above all forever!
“Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, to be praised and glorified above all forever!”
R: To be praised and exalted above all forever!
“Blessed are you who see the depths and sit upon the cherubim, to be praised and exalted above all forever.”
R: To be praised and exalted above all forever!
“Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, to be praised and extolled above all forever!”
R: To be praised and exalted above all forever!
Verse Before Gospel: LK 8:15
From the good news according to Luke.
“Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.”
Gospel of the Day: JN 8:31-42
From the gospel scripture according to John.
Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
They answered him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.
A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever.
If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
I know that you are Abraham’s offspring, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you.
I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”
They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this.
You do the works of your father.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”
Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me.”
