Throw yourself into God's arms. He will carry you when the road is rough.

                                                                        St. John Baptist de la Salle, priest

 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62*

(or Daniel 13:41c-62)

(...) The assembly took their word, since they were elders and judges of the people.

Susanna was condemned to death. She cried aloud, "Eternal God, nothing is hidden from you;

you know all things before they come to be. You know that these men have testified falsely against me.

Would you let me die, though I am not guilty of all their malicious charges?"

 

The Lord heard her, and as she was being led to her execution,

God aroused the holy spirit residing in a young lad named Daniel. He shouted,

"I will have no part in the death of this woman!" (...) "Have you become fools, you Israelites,

to condemn a daughter of Israel without due process and in the absence of clear evidence?

Return to court, for those men have testified falsely against her."

 

(...) The whole assembly shouted and blessed God for helping those who hope in him.

They turned against the two elders who, through Daniel's efforts, had been convicted by their own mouths.

In accordance with Moses' law,  the penalty the two elders had intended to impose upon their neighbor was inflicted upon them.

They were sentenced to death. Thus was the life of an innocent woman spared that day.

 

Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

John 8:12-20

Jesus spoke to them again, "I am the Light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness,

but will have light and life." The Pharisees replied, "Now you are speaking on your own behalf, your testimony is worthless."

Then Jesus said, "Even though I bear witness to myself, my testimony is true,

for I know where I have come from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.

You judge by human standards; as for me, I don't judge anyone. But if I had to judge,

my judgment would be valid for I am not alone: The Father who sent me is with me.

 

In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid;

so I am bearing witness to myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness to me."

They asked him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You don' t know me or my Father;

if you knew me, you would know my Father as well." Jesus said these things when he was teaching in the temple area,

in the place where they received the offerings. No one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Bestowed by God."

Today's readings present us with the question of just judgment. The fate of Susannah is almost sealed by a travesty of justice,

as the corrupt and lustful elders seek to hide their crimes by having her executed through false evidence.

Yet, at the last moment, the young Daniel, inspired by God to speak, recognizes the injustice and he uncovers the truth.

Daniel has shone a light on the dark places of the elders' lives and the truth has been revealed.

This just judgement of Daniel is understood by the people as a gift "bestowed by God."

 

Our moral sense has its source in the One who is all goodness,

and so our judgment of what is right and true works best when in union with the God of all goodness and justice.

This is what Jesus, the Light of the World, says. He does not judge alone, but always in union with the Father,

and so his judgment is just. He has been sent by the Father to bear witness to the truth and to let the light shine.

May we too be instruments of God's light and may our judgements and decisions shine with that same light.