Reflection on Today's Readings, Monday, 5th Week of Lent, Year B, March 22nd, 2021
Texts: Dan. 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62, Ps. 23:1-6; John 8:1-11
In today's first reading, we see the victory of faith over evil; we see the abuse of authority. We also see what it means to stand with the Lord. The reading tells us that God always vindicates His own. This event took place during Babylonian exile. Susanna preferred death to sinning against the Lord. She said, "I am hemmed in on every side. For if I do this thing, it is death for me; and if I do not, I shall not escape your hands. I choose not to do it and to fall into your hands, rather than to sin in the sight of the Lord.” This brings to mind the words of our Lord: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell" (Mtt.10:28). Susanna realised that to sin is to die, for she says, "if I do this thing, it is death for me". It is even a worse death because both the body and soul will die. The judges could only kill the body, not the soul.
We learn from Susanna that our faith is not yet strong and firm until we are ready to give up our lives for it. This reaffirms Jesus' words: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." It is by faith that we conquer the fear of death and able to choose God over and above other things.
We also learn from Susanna to stand with God to the end. When Susanna was condemned to death and it was sure that she would die, she did not feel that God was powerless or unable to save, but only reaffirmed her innocence and faith, and entrust her cause into God's hands. It is said, "The assembly believed them, because they were elders of the people and judges; and they condemned her to death. Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, 'O eternal God, who discern what is secret, who are 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!'" This teaches us to stand with God, no matter the situation.
In the lives of the two elders and judges we see how the desire of the flesh could land us in sin and how desire brings death. It is said of them thus: "The two elders used to see her every day, going in and wkalking about, and they began to desire her. And they perverted their minds and turned away their eyes from looking to Heaven or remembering righteous judgements." They allowed their desire to take better part of them, they were ruled by their desire rather than the law of God. This reemphasizes the importance of Lent: it is a period to kill the desire of the flesh; it is time to quieten the voices of the flesh within us. We groom ourselves during the Lent to become better persons.
Jesus, in today's gospel reading, shows that we are all sinners and guilty of one thing or the other. So, we have no right to judge our neighbours. Jesus Christ, Himself, does not condemn anyone but only ask for repentance; to go and sin no more.
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to trust in You firmly that we may live for you. Amen
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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