Breaking the Word

5^th week in Lent, Tuesday – 28^th March 2023 – Numbers 21,4-9; Jn 8,21-30

Being Ungrateful

The first reading reminds us that the Israelites in the desert never realized how much God has done and how He continues to guide and provide for them. In their long journey through the desert to the Promised Land, they were almost close to their final goal. In their way stood the territory of Edom. The Israelites requested Moses to pass through without causing any trouble. However, Moses turned down their request and took on a long route. The people became impatient with him and also with God for the direction in which they were being taken. Tired of eating the manna which God has supplied for them, the Israelites started to grumble against God and Moses. They long for the diversity of food they ate when they were slaves in Egypt. Because they found life hard now, they started relishing the life of slavery. By rejecting the food God was sending to them in abundance, they were rejecting God himself. Their complaints represent their ingratitude to God who fed them in the desert for many years and prevented them from dying of hunger.

5^th  Week in Lent, Monday  – 27^th March 2023 – Daniel 13,1-62; Jn 8,1-11

Stories and Perspectives have not changed

Today’s readings have a few similarities. In both, first reading and the Gospel, a woman is accused of adultery; a sin of secrecy made public on vulnerable persons. In both cases, some of the leaders seek to condemn and execute the woman who is accused of adultery; an expression of male domination and authoritative power play. In both cases, the accused woman is set free after facing the trial; an intervention of divine inspiration through individuals. In the Gospel, the accused woman is guilty of the sin, but receives forgiveness and compassion from Jesus. Her name is never mentioned. Whereas in the first reading, the story begins with the description of the person with her name as Susanna and she is wrongly accused of the crime. Knowing the corrupt mind and lustful intentions of two elderly Jewish judges, lonely Susanna tries to escape the situation. She realizes that she is trapped by their wickedness and false accusations, but does not fall into sin till the end. In facing the death sentence, she publicly lifts up her plea in prayer to God, the final judge. God hears her prayer and sends Daniel to defend her and to set things right for her and convict the sinful judges. Though this long and dramatic story is really on Daniel, on his perception and wisdom, and as champion of justice, yet in today’s liturgy, it focuses on the sin of adultery. There are many stories of adulteries told and untold that are repeated in history and will go on for eternity, how are we forming part of the solution? As faithful followers, do we have a judgmental and impure mind in looking at the victims of sin of adultery? Do our women knowing that they are vulnerable and used for pleasure will still fall into the unknown traps of wicked men?