Greetings on this the Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Readings: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62; PS 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Jn 8:12-20
Notes: The 5th Sunday Lent the gospel portion of the A Woman Caught in Adultery.
Yesterday – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/8?1
Today the first reading is about Susanna falsely accused of the same.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/13?1
- Both the Woman and Suzanna needed the Father.
- Both the Woman and Suzanna needed true justice.
First reading
The story of Susanna in the book of the prophet Daniel is a must read.
Such a compelling story of the complexity of faith and sin.
Susanna, innocent and humble, together with her faithful friends and family coming to her aid. The wicked two old men intent on making their desires satisfied and, if not, to destroy the one whose innocence can destroy them.
God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel.
He used wisdom and divine logic to free Suzanna and punish the wicked men.
Solomon: wisdom, divine logic freed two women from their punishing fight over a baby.
(see https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/3?16 Solomon’s Listening Heart)
The compelling theme is to see aright. Seeing as the Lord sees. And the determination to be merciful as mercy is a decision and a way of life. Mercy! shows the way to true justice.
Responsorial Psalm
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
Verse Before the Gospel
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord,
but rather in his conversion, that he may live.
Gospel Portion
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.
I try so very much to transmit the deeper meaning of justice and compassion as contrasted by secular and the cold juridical application of laws.
Yesterday I offered my opinion of what Jesus wrote in the sand (he wrote twice just as the Lord wrote with the Finger of God to write and rewrite the Commandments).
- The First Instance – the Finger of God (Jesus) wrote – the Beatitudes. The fullness of the Ten Commandments.
- The Second Instance – the Finger of God (Jesus) wrote – the Memories of our innocence and beauty that he created in us in the womb.
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.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 