Breaking the Word

5^th Week in Lent, Monday – 18^th March 2024 – Daniel 13,1-62; Jn 8,1-11

Sinner Wins Total Forgiveness

Today’s first reading and the Gospel have a few similarities, focusing on a woman accused of adultery. In the Old Testament, Susanna is accused falsely of adultery by two elders of the people. In the New Testament, a woman is accused of adultery by the scribes and Pharisees, the elders of people of Israel. The old men are wicked because they are slaves to lust and men of deceit. The scribes and Pharisees boast of their self-righteousness and try to deceive Jesus into a trap. In the first reading, Daniel, stirred by the Holy Spirit, uncovers the lie of the wicked men, and Susanna’s innocent blood is spared. According to the law, the old men end by receiving the punishment originally intended for the women. In the Gospel, Jesus uncovers the false intentions of the scribes and Pharisees, and the woman is forgiven and spared, even though she is guilty. Here the woman wins Jesus’ total forgiveness. The hearts of the old, wicked men were corrupt and had no place for God. The heart of the adulteress, though wounded by sin, was open to God’s mercy. The old men remained in their sin; the woman caught in adultery was released from sin.

4^th week in Lent, Friday – 15^th March 2024 – Wisdom 2,1.12-22; John 7,1-2.10.25-30

Wickedness Persists

The first reading from the book of wisdom presents the wicked men’s desire. They test the just one to see if his doctrine is true and if he is truly God’s son. They conspire to revile, torture, and condemn the just one to a shameful death. Their wickedness has blinded them to the truth of the just one’s claim. This is exactly what the characteristics and thoughts of those who sought to kill Jesus. The first reading describes the animosity directed against those who live good and virtuous lives. However, it also applies to hundreds of others down the ages whose goodness has been resented, whose behaviour is seen as condemnation and a threat to those with different values. Such individuals, as a result, have been persecuted and even killed. We often feel that if one is good and virtuous, people should be inspired to follow and imitate their good example. However, experience tells us that many times exactly the opposite happens, and people feel somehow threatened by or resentful of the good behaviour. Jesus being fully aware of the increasing opposition to his doctrine, miracles and as a person, chooses to go ahead courageously. He faces the challenges and opposition, as he is aware that is God’s Son.