Most Holy Trinity
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Written by Margaret McKee
If you grew up watching VeggieTales, you may fondly remember Rack, Shack, and Benny, three vegetables working in a chocolate factory. Edible bunnies aside, the episode is relatively accurate in its portrayal of the persecution encountered by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the third chapter of Daniel, from which we read today’s psalm.
After refusing to worship a golden statue made by King Nebuchadnezzar, the three men are thrown into a fiery furnace. Despite the king’s request for the flames to be seven times as hot as they normally are, the men do not immediately turn to ash; rather, Abednego rises to bless the LORD, singing the psalm we reflect on today.
The verse immediately preceding today’s psalm says, “Then these three in the furnace with one voice sang, glorifying and blessing God” (Daniel 3:51). It is no coincidence, then, that Abednego’s song is chosen for today’s Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, which also celebrates three persons, unified as one.
Further, it is worth remembering what landed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace in the first place: refusing to worship anything – or anyone – but God alone. This loyalty to the King of Kings is highlighted in the third stanza of today’s psalm: “Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom” (Daniel 3:54). Even when threatened with death, the three men stand for the truth that only God belongs on the thrones of their hearts.
For this reason, the psalm itself repeatedly calls God “praiseworthy and exalted:”
To praise means to express admiration; to be worthy involves having or showing qualities or abilities which merit recognition.
To be exalted means to be placed at a high and powerful level, held in high regard, or elevated in rank, power, or character.
God’s elevated divinity, nature, and power encourage our admiration. This song of Abednego demonstrates His will and desire to take this merited place on the throne of each of our lives. Our God will continue to be and to do these “praiseworthy and exalted” things regardless of our paying attention to them; what a gift it can be to sing our humble praise freely in return.
What is currently enthroned in your life? On this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, be encouraged to praise the Persons of the Trinity for the work each has done in your life.
Margaret McKee is a servant leader with a mission to build the Kingdom. She works in the Office of Evangelization at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology and is a current Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling student. She is passionate about the integration of spirituality and mental wellness – oh yeah, and VeggieTales.
Pray with today’s psalm.