5th Week of Lent
27th March 2023 (Monday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
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First Reading: Daniel 13:41c-62
In those days: The assembly condemned Susanna to death. Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice and said, "O eternal God, who does discern what is secret, who is aware of all things before they come to be, you know that these men have borne false witness against me. And now I am to die! Yet I have done none of the things that they have wickedly invented against me!" The Lord heard her cry. And as she was being led away to be put to death, God aroused the holy spirit of a young lad named Daniel; and he cried with a loud voice, "I am innocent of the blood of this woman." All the people turned to him and said, "What is this that you have said?" Taking his stand in the midst of them, he said, "Are you such fools, you sons of Israel? Have you condemned a daughter of Israel without examination and without learning the facts? Return to the place of judgment. For these men have borne false witness against her." Then all the people returned in haste. And the elders said to him, "Come, sit among us and inform us, for God has given you that right." And Daniel said to them, "Separate them far from each other, and I will examine them." When they were separated from each other, he summoned one of them and said to him, "You old relic of wicked days, your sins have now come home, which you have committed in the past, pronouncing unjust judgments, condemning the innocent, and letting the guilty go free, though the Lord said, 'Do not put to death an innocent and righteous person. Now then, if you really saw her, tell me this: Under what tree did you see them being intimate with each other?" He answered, "Under a mastic tree." And Daniel said, "Very well! You have lied against your own head, for the angel of God has received the sentence from God and will immediately cut you in two." Then he put him aside and commanded them to bring the other. And he said to him, "You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, beauty has deceived you and lust has perverted your heart. This is how you both have been dealing with the daughters of Israel, and they were intimate with you through fear; but a daughter of Judah would not endure your wickedness. Now then, tell me: Under what tree did you catch them being intimate with each other?" He answered, "Under an evergreen oak." And Daniel said to him, "Very well! You also have lied against your own head, for the angel of God is waiting with his sword to saw you in two, that he may destroy you both." Then all the assembly shouted loudly and blessed God, who saves those who hope in him. And they rose against the two elders, for out of their own mouths Daniel had convicted them of bearing false witness; and they did to them as they had wickedly planned to do to their neighbour; acting in accordance with the law of Moses, they put them to death. Thus innocent blood was saved that day.
Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (R. 4ab)
R/. Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
Gospel : John 8:1-11
At that time: Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Justice and mercy meet!
Indicative: In a world where justice and mercy are rapidly diminishing, God stands before us and for us as a model of justice and mercy{alertSuccess}
1. Today’s word of God presents before us a God who is ever just and merciful, especially concerning the innocent and victims of injustice and discrimination. In the first reading, it is the innocent Susanna, and in the gospel, it is the condemned adulterous woman
2. The innocent and the despised may go through suffering and adversity for a while. They may face insult and torture. Everything may look lost and gone. There may not appear any ray of hope and support
3. It is in such moments God intervenes and acts at His appointed time. Both stories have touching lessons and assurance of God’s abiding compassion and mercy. We may be tested but never abandoned and left to be destroyed. God never despises even the worst sinner
4. In the light of and in response to this ever-abiding justice and mercy of God, we can draw some directives for our life. They are namely, purity of intention, the principle of justice and fairness, the principle of honesty and self-critique and unfailing trust and surrender to God
5. Purity of intention: this was what was lacking in the two corrupt judges who made false accusations against Susanna. Their intentions were polluted and perverted. They were led by sexual impulse. Similarly, the intentions of the Jews who caught the woman in adultery were very judgmental and condemnatory toward the sinful woman. They were also cunningly treacherous toward Jesus to trap him in a legal and religious controversy
6. Principle of justice and fairness: the corrupt judges totally failed in justice and fairness. For the sake of their own gratifying desires, they would victimise so unfairly an innocent and God-fearing woman Susanna. The Jews too were so unjust. Their concern apparently was adherence to the law. But really it was to show themselves righteous. They were also highly discriminating, completely leaving out the man involved in adultery
7. Principle of honesty and self-critique: The challenge of Jesus, “Let anyone who has no sin, throw the first stone,” is a strong call for self-critique. Why accuse others for a speck in their eye without bothering about the log in one’s own eye?
8. Unfailing trust and surrender: despite all the odds and discouraging situations, we shall never lose our heart and hope. We must trust deeply in the unfailing love of God for us. We must also believe that He knows what is good for us, the best of it and when and how to do it. Therefore, the best thing is to surrender to him without reserve always and in everything
Imperative: God never despises or rejects or condemns anyone, even the worst sinner. Let this assurance impel us to confide in His mercy with genuine repentance{alertSuccess}