GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 3RD APRIL 2017
MONDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT
FIRST READING: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62
PSALM: Psalm 23:1-6
GOSPEL: John 8:1-11
THEME: WOMAN, WHERE ARE THEY?
Take your best friend to the market place and then suddenly point your finger at him and shout, “thief…thief…thief”. You can be sure that in an instant, tens of people would gather and often before any interrogation, your friend would have received some few slaps. This is what is often referred to as instant justice. It is inflicting pains on an alleged criminal without fair hearing. There is always an element of injustice in instant justice because there is more to the story than what is alleged. Sometimes an alleged criminal may be completely innocent as in the case of Susanna in the First Reading.
The first few verses of the text of the First Reading describes Susanna as a married woman, beautiful, God-fearing and well trained according to the law of Moses. In sum, she was a woman of valour, elegantly dressed in character. Two men, described as elders of the people and judges decided to destroy this noble woman by alleging that she was an adulteress, whereas they (the two men), were the real adulterers. It took the intervention of God, who inspired Daniel, for the truth to be revealed.
Many innocent people have died at the hands of ruthless men and women. There are character assassins who go about throwing faeces on elegantly dressed people and then later point fingers at them to accuse them of defecating on themselves. Unfortunately, undiscerning people believe the lies they peddle and descend heavily on these poor victims.
Hasty judgements in the name of “instant justice”, either by words or actions, bring pain to others. Even if the allegation turns out to be true, let us remember how we have also deserved condemnation on many occasions and yet found forgiveness in Christ. In the end, it is safe to say that God is the only reliable judge – “There is only one lawgiver and he is the only judge and has power to save or to destroy. Who are you to give a verdict on your neighbour?” (James 4:12).
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, come to the aid of all those who stand accused of wrongdoing. By the power of your grace bring salvation to them as you once did to the woman alleged to have been caught in adultery. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen)