Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Lectionary: 251
Lectionary: 251
In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim,
who married a very beautiful and God-fearing woman, Susanna,
the daughter of Hilkiah;
her pious parents had trained their daughter
according to the law of Moses.
Joakim was very rich;
he had a garden near his house,
and the Jews had recourse to him often
because he was the most respected of them all.
That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges,
of whom the Lord said, "Wickedness has come out of Babylon:
from the elders who were to govern the people as judges."
These men, to whom all brought their cases,
frequented the house of Joakim.
When the people left at noon,
Susanna used to enter her husband's garden for a walk.
When the old men saw her enter every day for her walk,
they began to lust for her.
They suppressed their consciences;
they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven,
and did not keep in mind just judgments.
One day, while they were waiting for the right moment,
she entered the garden as usual, with two maids only.
She decided to bathe, for the weather was warm.
Nobody else was there except the two elders,
who had hidden themselves and were watching her.
"Bring me oil and soap," she said to the maids,
"and shut the garden doors while I bathe."
As soon as the maids had left,
the two old men got up and hurried to her.
"Look," they said, "the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us;
give in to our desire, and lie with us.
If you refuse, we will testify against you
that you dismissed your maids because a young man was here with you."
"I am completely trapped," Susanna groaned.
"If I yield, it will be my death;
if I refuse, I cannot escape your power.
Yet it is better for me to fall into your power without guilt
than to sin before the Lord."
Then Susanna shrieked, and the old men also shouted at her,
as one of them ran to open the garden doors.
When the people in the house heard the cries from the garden,
they rushed in by the side gate to see what had happened to her.
At the accusations by the old men,
the servants felt very much ashamed,
for never had any such thing been said about Susanna.
When the people came to her husband Joakim the next day,
the two wicked elders also came,
fully determined to put Susanna to death.
Before all the people they ordered:
"Send for Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah,
the wife of Joakim."
When she was sent for,
she came with her parents, children and all her relatives.
All her relatives and the onlookers were weeping.
In the midst of the people the two elders rose up
and laid their hands on her head.
Through tears she looked up to heaven,
for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly.
The elders made this accusation:
"As we were walking in the garden alone,
this woman entered with two girls
and shut the doors of the garden, dismissing the girls.
A young man, who was hidden there, came and lay with her.
When we, in a corner of the garden, saw this crime,
we ran toward them.
We saw them lying together,
but the man we could not hold, because he was stronger than we;
he opened the doors and ran off.
Then we seized her and asked who the young man was,
but she refused to tell us.
We testify to this."
The assembly believed them,
since they were elders and judges of the people,
and they condemned her to death.
But Susanna cried aloud:
"O eternal God, you know what is hidden
and are aware of all things before they come to be:
you know that they have testified falsely against me.
Here I am about to die,
though I have done none of the things
with which these wicked men have charged me."
The Lord heard her prayer.
As she was being led to execution,
God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel,
and he cried aloud:
"I will have no part in the death of this woman."
All the people turned and asked him, "What is this you are saying?"
He stood in their midst and continued,
"Are you such fools, O children of Israel!
To condemn a woman of Israel without examination
and without clear evidence?
Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her."
Then all the people returned in haste.
To Daniel the elders said,
"Come, sit with us and inform us,
since God has given you the prestige of old age."
But he replied,
"Separate these two far from each other that I may examine them."
After they were separated one from the other,
he called one of them and said:
"How you have grown evil with age!
Now have your past sins come to term:
passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent,
and freeing the guilty, although the Lord says,
'The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.'
Now, then, if you were a witness,
tell me under what tree you saw them together."
"Under a mastic tree," he answered.
Daniel replied, "Your fine lie has cost you your head,
for the angel of God shall receive the sentence from him
and split you in two."
Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought.
Daniel said to him,
"Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah, beauty has seduced you,
lust has subverted your conscience.
This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel,
and in their fear they yielded to you;
but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your wickedness.
Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together."
"Under an oak," he said.
Daniel replied, "Your fine lie has cost you also your head,
for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two
so as to make an end of you both."
The whole assembly cried aloud,
blessing God who saves those who hope in him.
They rose up against the two elders,
for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of perjury.
According to the law of Moses,
they inflicted on them
the penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor:
they put them to death.
Thus was innocent blood spared that day.
who married a very beautiful and God-fearing woman, Susanna,
the daughter of Hilkiah;
her pious parents had trained their daughter
according to the law of Moses.
Joakim was very rich;
he had a garden near his house,
and the Jews had recourse to him often
because he was the most respected of them all.
That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges,
of whom the Lord said, "Wickedness has come out of Babylon:
from the elders who were to govern the people as judges."
These men, to whom all brought their cases,
frequented the house of Joakim.
When the people left at noon,
Susanna used to enter her husband's garden for a walk.
When the old men saw her enter every day for her walk,
they began to lust for her.
They suppressed their consciences;
they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven,
and did not keep in mind just judgments.
One day, while they were waiting for the right moment,
she entered the garden as usual, with two maids only.
She decided to bathe, for the weather was warm.
Nobody else was there except the two elders,
who had hidden themselves and were watching her.
"Bring me oil and soap," she said to the maids,
"and shut the garden doors while I bathe."
As soon as the maids had left,
the two old men got up and hurried to her.
"Look," they said, "the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us;
give in to our desire, and lie with us.
If you refuse, we will testify against you
that you dismissed your maids because a young man was here with you."
"I am completely trapped," Susanna groaned.
"If I yield, it will be my death;
if I refuse, I cannot escape your power.
Yet it is better for me to fall into your power without guilt
than to sin before the Lord."
Then Susanna shrieked, and the old men also shouted at her,
as one of them ran to open the garden doors.
When the people in the house heard the cries from the garden,
they rushed in by the side gate to see what had happened to her.
At the accusations by the old men,
the servants felt very much ashamed,
for never had any such thing been said about Susanna.
When the people came to her husband Joakim the next day,
the two wicked elders also came,
fully determined to put Susanna to death.
Before all the people they ordered:
"Send for Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah,
the wife of Joakim."
When she was sent for,
she came with her parents, children and all her relatives.
All her relatives and the onlookers were weeping.
In the midst of the people the two elders rose up
and laid their hands on her head.
Through tears she looked up to heaven,
for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly.
The elders made this accusation:
"As we were walking in the garden alone,
this woman entered with two girls
and shut the doors of the garden, dismissing the girls.
A young man, who was hidden there, came and lay with her.
When we, in a corner of the garden, saw this crime,
we ran toward them.
We saw them lying together,
but the man we could not hold, because he was stronger than we;
he opened the doors and ran off.
Then we seized her and asked who the young man was,
but she refused to tell us.
We testify to this."
The assembly believed them,
since they were elders and judges of the people,
and they condemned her to death.
But Susanna cried aloud:
"O eternal God, you know what is hidden
and are aware of all things before they come to be:
you know that they have testified falsely against me.
Here I am about to die,
though I have done none of the things
with which these wicked men have charged me."
The Lord heard her prayer.
As she was being led to execution,
God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel,
and he cried aloud:
"I will have no part in the death of this woman."
All the people turned and asked him, "What is this you are saying?"
He stood in their midst and continued,
"Are you such fools, O children of Israel!
To condemn a woman of Israel without examination
and without clear evidence?
Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her."
Then all the people returned in haste.
To Daniel the elders said,
"Come, sit with us and inform us,
since God has given you the prestige of old age."
But he replied,
"Separate these two far from each other that I may examine them."
After they were separated one from the other,
he called one of them and said:
"How you have grown evil with age!
Now have your past sins come to term:
passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent,
and freeing the guilty, although the Lord says,
'The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.'
Now, then, if you were a witness,
tell me under what tree you saw them together."
"Under a mastic tree," he answered.
Daniel replied, "Your fine lie has cost you your head,
for the angel of God shall receive the sentence from him
and split you in two."
Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought.
Daniel said to him,
"Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah, beauty has seduced you,
lust has subverted your conscience.
This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel,
and in their fear they yielded to you;
but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your wickedness.
Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together."
"Under an oak," he said.
Daniel replied, "Your fine lie has cost you also your head,
for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two
so as to make an end of you both."
The whole assembly cried aloud,
blessing God who saves those who hope in him.
They rose up against the two elders,
for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of perjury.
According to the law of Moses,
they inflicted on them
the penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor:
they put them to death.
Thus was innocent blood spared that day.
The assembly condemned Susanna to death.
But Susanna cried aloud:
"O eternal God, you know what is hidden
and are aware of all things before they come to be:
you know that they have testified falsely against me.
Here I am about to die,
though I have done none of the things
with which these wicked men have charged me."
The Lord heard her prayer.
As she was being led to execution,
God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel,
and he cried aloud:
"I will have no part in the death of this woman."
All the people turned and asked him,
"What is this you are saying?"
He stood in their midst and continued,
"Are you such fools, O children of Israel!
To condemn a woman of Israel without examination
and without clear evidence?
Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her."
Then all the people returned in haste.
To Daniel the elders said,
"Come, sit with us and inform us,
since God has given you the prestige of old age."
But he replied,
"Separate these two far from each other that I may examine them."
After they were separated one from the other,
he called one of them and said:
"How you have grown evil with age!
Now have your past sins come to term:
passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent,
and freeing the guilty, although the Lord says,
'The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.'
Now, then, if you were a witness,
tell me under what tree you saw them together."
"Under a mastic tree," he answered.
Daniel replied, "Your fine lie has cost you your head,
for the angel of God shall receive the sentence from him
and split you in two."
Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought.
Daniel said to him, "Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah,
beauty has seduced you, lust has subverted your conscience.
This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel,
and in their fear they yielded to you;
but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your wickedness.
Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together."
"Under an oak," he said.
Daniel replied, "Your fine lie has cost you also your head,"
for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two
so as to make an end of you both."
The whole assembly cried aloud,
blessing God who saves those who hope in him.
They rose up against the two elders,
for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of perjury.
According to the law of Moses,
they inflicted on them
the penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor:
they put them to death.
Thus was innocent blood spared that day.
But Susanna cried aloud:
"O eternal God, you know what is hidden
and are aware of all things before they come to be:
you know that they have testified falsely against me.
Here I am about to die,
though I have done none of the things
with which these wicked men have charged me."
The Lord heard her prayer.
As she was being led to execution,
God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel,
and he cried aloud:
"I will have no part in the death of this woman."
All the people turned and asked him,
"What is this you are saying?"
He stood in their midst and continued,
"Are you such fools, O children of Israel!
To condemn a woman of Israel without examination
and without clear evidence?
Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her."
Then all the people returned in haste.
To Daniel the elders said,
"Come, sit with us and inform us,
since God has given you the prestige of old age."
But he replied,
"Separate these two far from each other that I may examine them."
After they were separated one from the other,
he called one of them and said:
"How you have grown evil with age!
Now have your past sins come to term:
passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent,
and freeing the guilty, although the Lord says,
'The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.'
Now, then, if you were a witness,
tell me under what tree you saw them together."
"Under a mastic tree," he answered.
Daniel replied, "Your fine lie has cost you your head,
for the angel of God shall receive the sentence from him
and split you in two."
Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought.
Daniel said to him, "Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah,
beauty has seduced you, lust has subverted your conscience.
This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel,
and in their fear they yielded to you;
but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your wickedness.
Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together."
"Under an oak," he said.
Daniel replied, "Your fine lie has cost you also your head,"
for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two
so as to make an end of you both."
The whole assembly cried aloud,
blessing God who saves those who hope in him.
They rose up against the two elders,
for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of perjury.
According to the law of Moses,
they inflicted on them
the penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor:
they put them to death.
Thus was innocent blood spared that day.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6
R. (4ab) Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil;
for you are at my side.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
Verse Before
The GospelEZ 33:11
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord,
but rather in his conversion, that he may live.
but rather in his conversion, that he may live.
GospelJN 8:12-20
Jesus spoke to them again, saying,
"I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."
So the Pharisees said to him,
"You testify on your own behalf,
so your testimony cannot be verified."
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified,
because I know where I came from and where I am going.
But you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.
And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid,
because I am not alone,
but it is I and the Father who sent me.
Even in your law it is written
that the testimony of two men can be verified.
I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me."
So they said to him, "Where is your father?"
Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father.
If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
He spoke these words
while teaching in the treasury in the temple area.
But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
"I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."
So the Pharisees said to him,
"You testify on your own behalf,
so your testimony cannot be verified."
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified,
because I know where I came from and where I am going.
But you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.
And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid,
because I am not alone,
but it is I and the Father who sent me.
Even in your law it is written
that the testimony of two men can be verified.
I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me."
So they said to him, "Where is your father?"
Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father.
If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
He spoke these words
while teaching in the treasury in the temple area.
But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
Meditation:
"Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness"
When
accusations are brought against you, how do you respond and where do you turn
for help? The Book of Daniel tells the story of Susanna, a godly woman who
loved God and his word. She was unjustly accused of adultery by two elder
judges who had tried to seduce her. Since adultery was a serious offense
punishable by stoning to death, the law of Moses required at least two
witnesses, rather than one, to convict a person. Susanna knew she had no hope
of clearing her good reputation and escaping death apart from God's merciful
intervention. Daniel tells us that she looked up to heaven and cried out to the
Lord for his help (Daniel 13:35). The two elders who wanted to sin with her had
done just the opposite - they hid themselves from God's sight and they kept
their secret sin hidden from the people as well. They brought false charges
against her in revenge for her refusal to sin with them. God in his mercy heard
the plea of Susanna and he punished the two elders for giving false witness.
Unjust
accusations against Jesus
The Gospel accounts describe how Jesus had to face unjust accusations made by the Pharisees, the ruling elders of Israel. They were upset with Jesus' teaching and his healing on the Sabbath. They plotted what charges they might bring against him in order to arrest him and bring him to trial. They wanted to not only silence him, but put him to death for his claim to be the Messiah. They accused him of blasphemy because he claimed to have authority equal with God.
The Gospel accounts describe how Jesus had to face unjust accusations made by the Pharisees, the ruling elders of Israel. They were upset with Jesus' teaching and his healing on the Sabbath. They plotted what charges they might bring against him in order to arrest him and bring him to trial. They wanted to not only silence him, but put him to death for his claim to be the Messiah. They accused him of blasphemy because he claimed to have authority equal with God.
In
chapter 8 of John's Gospel, we hear the account where Jesus publicly proclaims
in the Temple at Jerusalem that he is the "light of the world" (John
8:12). Jesus spoke these words around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles,
also known as the Festival of Lights. This statement must have made a striking
impression on the Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem for the occasion. For
eight nights the great candelabras which stood in the Temple courtyard lit the
Jerusalem skyline with a blaze of dazzling [extremely bright] light. Jesus'
statement very likely came at the end of the Festival when the great lights
where extinguished. In so many words, Jesus says he is the one true light which
no one can extinguish or diminish (see John 1:4-5). He is the true light
not only for God's chosen people Israel, but for all peoples and nations as
well.
Many
of the scribes and Pharisees reacted with shock and disbelief when they heard
Jesus describe himself as light of the world and light
of life (John 8:12). In the Gospel of John we hear seven
"I am" statements from the lips of Jesus: "I am the Bread of
Life" (John 6:35), "I am the light of the world"
(John 8:12), "I am the Gate" (John 10:9), "I am the
Good Shepherd" (John 10:11), "I am the Resurrection and
the Life" (John 11:25), "I am the Way, the Truth, and the
Life" (John 14:6), and "I am the Vine" (John
15:5). Jesus also emphatically stated, "Truly I say to you, before Abraham
was, I am" (John 8:58). When Moses asked God to reveal his
name. God responded by saying, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus
3:13-14). When the Pharisees heard Jesus says "I am the
light", they clearly understood that Jesus was making a claim which only
God could make. The word light in Scripture was especially
associated with God. The Lord is my light (Psalm 27:1). The Lord will
be your everlasting light (Isaiah 60:19). When I sit in darkness, the Lord will
be a light to me (Micah 7:8).
The
scribes and Pharisees demanded that Jesus produce signs and witnesses to prove
his claim. But the testimony and signs which Jesus gave did not satisfy the
religious rulers because they had already determined in their own minds that he
needed to be eliminated since his teaching did not agree with their own view
and interpretation of the law of Moses (John 5:39-46). Their judgment was based
on wrong assumptions and an evil intention to put Jesus to death. Jesus stated
that his authority was not based on human knowledge and perception but on the
knowledge and revelation which came from God. Jesus' rightfully claimed that
his authority came from his heavenly Father (John 5:19,21,26-27,36; John 8:28).
No one could do the mighty works which he did and speak with such authority
unless it had been given to him by the Father.
The
light Jesus came to give us
What did Jesus mean by the expression I am the light of the world and light of life (John 8:12)? The light Jesus came to give is the light of God's revelation - his beauty, truth, wisdom, and power. God's light exposes the darkness of sin which is often hidden and sometimes even unknown to us. His light brings healing, pardon, and restoration as well - freeing us from the burden of guilt and the scars of sin's effect on us - physically, spiritually,intellectually,and emotionally. We need God's penetrating light to shine into our innermost being so he can remove wrong patterns of thoughts, attitudes, and hurtful desires.
What did Jesus mean by the expression I am the light of the world and light of life (John 8:12)? The light Jesus came to give is the light of God's revelation - his beauty, truth, wisdom, and power. God's light exposes the darkness of sin which is often hidden and sometimes even unknown to us. His light brings healing, pardon, and restoration as well - freeing us from the burden of guilt and the scars of sin's effect on us - physically, spiritually,intellectually,and emotionally. We need God's penetrating light to shine into our innermost being so he can remove wrong patterns of thoughts, attitudes, and hurtful desires.
Sin
and every form of wrong-doing cloud our vision of what is good and right and
lead us down the wrong path away from God's truth and righteousness (moral
goodness). God's light shows us the way that leads to peace, joy, happiness and
fulfillment. The light which the Lord Jesus offers produces in us abundant life
and great fruitfulness. Just as natural life depends on light for energy,
warmth, and growth (without it nothing could live or grow), so the light of
God's kingdom power produce in us new life in the Holy Spirit and the abundant
fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). The light which the Lord Jesus
gives enables us to walk freely and confidently without stumbling in the
darkness of sin, ignorance, and unbelief. His light warms our heart to the
truth of God's love and it opens our eyes to recognize the reality of God's
kingdom at work within us. Do you walk confidently in the light of God's truth
and love?
"O
gracious and Holy Father, give us wisdom to perceive you, diligence to seek
you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon
you, and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Saint Benedict of Nursia, 480-547 AD)
A
Daily Quote for Lent: Walking
in the Light of Life, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
[That unfailing Light] has taken you from the eyes of the flesh and brought you
back again to the eyes of the heart! He does not think it enough to say...
"shall have light" but adds "of life," even as in the psalm
it was said, "[In your light shall we see light]; for with you is the
fountain of life" (Psalm 36:9). See how the words of our Lord agree with
the truth of that psalm where light is placed with the fountain of life and now
here he speaks of the "light of life." For bodily uses, light is one
thing and a well another. Our mouths seek a fountain; our eyes seek the light.
When we thirst, we seek a fountain; when we are in darkness we seek light. And
if we happen to get thirsty in the night, we kindle a light to come to a
fountain. With God the light and the well are the same. The one who shines on
you so that you may see him is the same one who flows to you so that you may
drink him.
You see then what kind of light this is if you see inwardly the light of which he says, "He that follows me shall not walk in darkness." Follow the sun, and let us see if you will not walk in darkness. When the sun rises, it comes toward you and heads on to the west. But perhaps your journey is toward the east. So if you follow the sun, then you will certainly err and instead of going east you will go west, whether by land... or by sea. Finally, you decide that you should follow the sun, and you travel to the west, where it also travels. Let us see if, after it sets, you will not still walk in darkness. See how, though you are unwilling to desert it, yet it will desert you in order to finish out its service for the day. But our Lord Jesus Christ, even when he was not made known to all through the cloud of his flesh, still held all things by the power of his wisdom. Your God is everywhere entirely. If you do not fall away from him, he will never fall away from you. [excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 34.5–6.18]
You see then what kind of light this is if you see inwardly the light of which he says, "He that follows me shall not walk in darkness." Follow the sun, and let us see if you will not walk in darkness. When the sun rises, it comes toward you and heads on to the west. But perhaps your journey is toward the east. So if you follow the sun, then you will certainly err and instead of going east you will go west, whether by land... or by sea. Finally, you decide that you should follow the sun, and you travel to the west, where it also travels. Let us see if, after it sets, you will not still walk in darkness. See how, though you are unwilling to desert it, yet it will desert you in order to finish out its service for the day. But our Lord Jesus Christ, even when he was not made known to all through the cloud of his flesh, still held all things by the power of his wisdom. Your God is everywhere entirely. If you do not fall away from him, he will never fall away from you. [excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 34.5–6.18]
MONDAY, APRIL 8, JOHN 8:12-20
Lenten Weekday
(Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17,19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62; Psalm 23)
KEY VERSE: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (v.12).
TO KNOW: On the first night of the Feast of Tabernacles, a ceremony was held in the temple in which four great torches were set ablaze in the darkness. Jesus was teaching in the temple during the celebration, and he loudly announced that he was the "light of the world." Referring to himself, Jesus used the divine name of God "I Am" (ego eimi). The Pharisees reacted with hostility declaring that such a claim could not be verified without witnesses. Jesus asserted that his own witness was enough, but he had another witness, the Father who sent him, the One whom they did not know. The light from the torches would flicker and die, but those who followed Jesus would not walk in darkness. They would possess the eternal "light of life" (v.12).
TO LOVE: Am I a source of light for those in darkness?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, illuminate my life with your divine light.
Lenten Weekday
(Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17,19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62; Psalm 23)
KEY VERSE: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (v.12).
TO KNOW: On the first night of the Feast of Tabernacles, a ceremony was held in the temple in which four great torches were set ablaze in the darkness. Jesus was teaching in the temple during the celebration, and he loudly announced that he was the "light of the world." Referring to himself, Jesus used the divine name of God "I Am" (ego eimi). The Pharisees reacted with hostility declaring that such a claim could not be verified without witnesses. Jesus asserted that his own witness was enough, but he had another witness, the Father who sent him, the One whom they did not know. The light from the torches would flicker and die, but those who followed Jesus would not walk in darkness. They would possess the eternal "light of life" (v.12).
TO LOVE: Am I a source of light for those in darkness?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, illuminate my life with your divine light.
Monday 8 April 2019
Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62. Psalm 22(23). John
8:12-20
Though I walk in the valley of darkness I fear no evil, for you
are with me – Psalm 22(23).
‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have
the light of life.’
Throughout the Scriptures, we see young people speaking words of
wisdom beyond their years, as an example of God’s Spirit in the world. In
today’s rather long first reading, we see the innocent Susanna spared from
death through the wise words and deeds of the young Daniel. The people
recognise the prophetic truth of Daniel’s advocacy for Susanna, which sets the
scene for Daniel’s later actions. ‘The whole assembly raised a great shout and
blessed God, who saves those who hope in him.’
‘I am the light of the world’, says Jesus. Throughout his
ministry, Jesus has a habit of making short, bold statements about himself. To
those who refuse to believe, his words sound like boastful utterances. To those
who believe, however, his words give us hope. At those times in our lives when
all seems dark, may we remember to turn to Jesus, the light of the world.
Saint Julie Billiart
Saint of the Day for April 8
(July 12, 1751 – April 8, 1816)
Saint Julie Billiart’s Story
Born in Cuvilly, France, into a family of well-to-do farmers,
young Marie Rose Julie Billiart showed an early interest in religion and in
helping the sick and poor. Though the first years of her life were relatively
peaceful and uncomplicated, Julie had to take up manual work as a young teen
when her family lost its money. However, she spent her spare time teaching
catechism to young people and to the farm laborers.
A mysterious illness overtook her when she was about 30.
Witnessing an attempt to wound or even kill her father, Julie was paralyzed and
became a complete invalid. For the next two decades, she continued to teach
catechism lessons from her bed, offered spiritual advice, and attracted
visitors who had heard of her holiness.
When the French Revolution broke out in 1789, revolutionary
forces became aware of her allegiance to fugitive priests. With the help of
friends, she was smuggled out of Cuvilly in a haycart. She then spent several
years hiding in Compiegne, being moved from house to house despite her growing
physical pain. She even lost the power of speech for a time.
But this period also proved to be a fruitful spiritual time for
Julie. It was at this time she had a vision in which she saw Calvary surrounded
by women in religious habits and heard a voice saying, “Behold these spiritual
daughters whom I give you in an institute marked by the cross.”
As time passed and Julie continued her mobile life, she made the
acquaintance of an aristocratic woman, Françoise Blin de Bourdon, who shared
Julie’s interest in teaching the faith. In 1803, the two women began the
Institute of Notre Dame, which was dedicated to the education of the poor,
young Christian girls, and the training of catechists. The following year, the
first Sisters of Notre Dame made their vows. That was the same year that Julie
recovered from the illness: She was able to walk for the first time in 22
years.
Though Julie had always been attentive to the special needs of
the poor and that always remained her priority, she also became aware that
other classes in society needed Christian instruction. From the founding of the
Sisters of Notre Dame until her death, Julie was on the road, opening a variety
of schools in France and Belgium that served the poor and the wealthy,
vocational groups, teachers. Ultimately, Julie and Françoise moved the
motherhouse to Namur, Belgium.
Julie died there in 1816. She was canonized in 1969.
Reflection
Julie’s immobility in no way impeded her activities. In spite of
her suffering, she managed to co-found a teaching order that tended to the
needs of both the poor and the well-to-do. Each of us has limitations, but the
worst malady any of us can suffer is the spiritual paralysis that keeps us from
doing God’s work on earth.
Lectio Divina John 8:12-20
Lectio Divina
Monday, April 8, 2019
1) Opening prayer
O God, by whose wondrous grace
we are enriched with every blessing,
grant us so to pass from former ways to newness of life,
that we may be made ready for the glory of the heavenly Kingdom.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
we are enriched with every blessing,
grant us so to pass from former ways to newness of life,
that we may be made ready for the glory of the heavenly Kingdom.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
2) Gospel Reading - John 8, 12-20
Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the
world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light
of life.”
The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your
own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my
testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you
have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human
standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true,
because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law
it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who
testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you
knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while teaching in
the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one
seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
3) Reflection
Anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark
The Lord Jesus, the glorious presence, that fills the temple of
God, in Jerusalem, is offering to his listeners his great and mysterious
teaching about the Way that is to be followed, the road that has to be
travelled towards salvation. This passage, we note, opens with the verb, “to
follow”, and the whole of Chapter 8 is marked by the verb “to go out”,
referring to Jesus.
Thus, we can understand that the Word of the Lord wishes to
invite us to travel the road of salvation towards the Light, following in the
footsteps of Jesus, who, like the Shekinah, leaves the temple, (Jn
8:59 and Ezek 10:18), to go and live in a tent along with the refugees of all
time, to live in the bosom of the Father.
This is precisely the route of the pathway of light that Jesus
invites to take, along with him, from the temple to the Father.
Let us see, what steps the Word of the Gospels indicates to us.
You are testifying on your own behalf ...
This is just the first in a long series of seven occurrences of
the word “testimony” along with the corresponding verb, “to testify”: a strong
and very important key word which brings up a fundamental aspect of Hebrew law,
given that a witness is a central and indispensable figure in the law of the
people of Israel. There is something more: The word witness, in Hebrew, ‘ed,
is underlined in that bible passage, which constitutes Israel’s most essential
and vital profession of faith as we find it in the Shemah, in Dt
6:4. It is underlined because in the Hebrew bibles this verse is written in a
particular way, i.e., the final syllable of the first word, the verb, shemah,
listen, and the final syllable of the last word, the adjective echad,
one, written in bigger letters than the rest. These two final letters,
the ‘ayin and the dalet, united together form the
word “witness”, ‘ed.
In this passage of the Gospel, we find ourselves facing a unique
and unmistakable starting point: our journey towards the Father, together with
Jesus, can only begin from our witness, from our believing lovingly and firmly
in God, as the one God, and the one and only Lord. This is the witness given by
Jesus. This is Jesus’ cry, right there in the temple of Jerusalem, a cry that
will tear through our night, through our unbelief.
I know where I came from and where I am going ...
Jesus clearly knows the point of departure and the point of
arrival of this journey of ours, through the night and towards the light. The
two points, in fact, coincide, because both of them are in the Father, but for
us, we have to look for them, identify them and make them ours.
Many times in the Gospel of John, we hear Jesus make the
statement that the Father sent him (Jn 5, 37; 6, 44; 7, 28; 12, 49, as well as
what we find in this chapter 8). The Father is his beginning, the secret place
of his movement towards the world.
This very striking question concerning the origin of Christ
stays alive always, always open, and apparently with no answer: Where do
you come from? (Jn 19:9), as we hear it on the lips of Pilate.
Jesus revealed to us where he came from, but our hearts continue
to seek, to want to find this beginning, this place in which we can too can be
truly reborn, have our own beginning.
In the same way Jesus reveals the mystery of his own exodus. He
tells us about the point of arrival of his journey in this world. He says, “I
am going to the Father” (Jn 16:10).
Thus we have all the necessary coordinates for our journey: from
the Father to the Father, in the same way that it was for Jesus.
Where is your Father?
This prayer, this searching of the heart, has to remain alive in
us: it must never be quenched, and never be wanting. This is the thirst that
has to guide us, drive us on our journey, make our hearts burn, in communion
with the Lord Jesus. He is the living face of the Father.
4) Personal questions
- Do
I have a desire to follow Jesus? and Do I want to begin it now?
- Am
I ready to give myself to bear witness like Jesus?
5) Concluding Prayer
(Psalm 41)
Like the dear that yearns for running streams, so my soul is
yearning for you, my God.
My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life, when can I enter and see the face of God?
My tears have become my bread, by night, by day: as I hear it said all day long, “Where is your God?”
These things will I remember as I pour out my soul: how I would lead the rejoicing crowd into the house of God, amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, the throng wild with joy.
My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life, when can I enter and see the face of God?
My tears have become my bread, by night, by day: as I hear it said all day long, “Where is your God?”
These things will I remember as I pour out my soul: how I would lead the rejoicing crowd into the house of God, amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, the throng wild with joy.
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