Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
(Daniel 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62; John 8:12-20)
Late last
year a man was released from prison after forty-three years of incarceration. He was exonerated because of a lack of
evidence linking him to the crime he allegedly committed. It seems that he was judged by appearances as
Susanna in today’s first reading.
Susanna did
not have adulterous relations. She only
appeared to do so. She was about to be found
guilty of the false accusation when the wise Daniel intervened. He was able to sort out truth from falsehood,
the innocent from the guilty. In the
gospel Jesus claims to bring such a discerning light into the world. He does not judge, but by him people judge
themselves. If they stand with him, they
are innocent. If they oppose him, they prove
themselves guilty. Standing with him, of
course, means doing his will, loving God and neighbor.
The time to
show ourselves as followers of Jesus is drawing close. Participating in the paschal liturgy we
recommit ourselves to “the light of the world.”
He brings us together in peace.
Despite what we have done in the past, he restores our peace with the
Father.
