You Know what is hidden and are Aware of All Things

Dan. 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62, Jn 8:1-11. Today’s first reading presents us with the story of Susanna, a Jewess who was in exile in Babylon, with her husband who was a respected man in the Jewish community. Despite her fidelity to God and her husband, she was framed up by two evil Jewish judges who lusted after her. When Susanna realised that she was trapped by their wickedness, she did not fall into sin, even though it means she will face death sentence if she refused to give into their desires. After being accused, she publicly lifted up her plea to God in prayer. In deed, God heard her prayer, who sent Daniel to set things right for her and convicted the sinful judges. Susanna’s trust illustrates the essence of faith: “she trusted in the Lord with all her heart.” By contrast, lust drove her two accusers to suppress their consciences, so that mercy and justice were driven from their thoughts.

Susanna story suggests that if we fix our hope on God, we get a solid peace of mind and a true perspective on things, even in dark moments. Things may look bleak but the Lord is always aware of our need. In that spirit Susanna prayed: “Eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things.” In contrast, today’s Gospel reports an obviously guilty woman who was dragged into Jesus’ presence. We admire Jesus’ restraint in responding to the case that was put to Him, for He simply bent down and started doodling on the ground in the dust. When He eventually looked up He suggested: “Let whoever among you is without sin be the first to stone her;” and again He started to write on the ground. The accused woman also showed great restraint, for she might have shouted accusations against the man caught in the act with her and yet who was allowed off scot free. Clearly her accusers did not want even-handed justice or both culprits would have been accused, for they were just using the woman to trap Jesus. However, Jesus refused to be trapped and so did the woman lying on the ground, whose silence projected more honour and dignity than her accusers’ self-justifying pomposity. They eventually drifted away, beginning with the elders. The Pharisees who brought her to Jesus were suggesting a simple answer to her moral failure: Condemn her to death by stoning. However, we must understand that this was not Jesus’ way of dealing with moral failure. The Lord knows that our story is unfinished and will only be complete when He comes to transfigure our lowly bodies into copies of His glorious body to transform us, that we may be the best version of ourselves and see the glory of God reveal in us.

May the Lord grant us the wisdom to know when to choose silence from which can flow honour, serenity and forgiveness! Amen!! Good morning and have a productive week!!!