42 She cried out as loud as she could, 'Eternal God, you know all secrets and everything before it happens;
43 you know that they have given false evidence against me. And now I must die, innocent as I am of everything their malice has invented against me!'
DANIEL 13: 42-43
What a power story we read today (and what a long first reading!!). Susanna had been accused of adultery by two nasty old men who were lusting after her and were resentful because she declined their advances. She chose death over offending God! What an example for us, huh? She clamors to the Lord for justice and she is heard: God, through the prophet Daniel, saves Susanna from execution and punishes the two men. Susanna's faith is truly inspiring!
Oh, don't we all wish we were righteous and faithful like Susanna? Yet it's so easy for us to sin!!!! We don't even need to be coerced into sin by two creepy men--we manage just fine on our own, huh? Sometimes it looks easier to do bad than good things. Heck, some of us might even be like the creepy old men--peer-pressuring and manipulating and doing all kinds of things to bring people to sin! And the worst part of it all is that these 'elders' were men of authority and good standing in society, so they abused their power to get their way. Haven't we met people like that before? Yeah!!
But do not despair--if you read today's gospel, there's also another bunch of weird old dudes, but this time actually trying to stone a woman caught in the act of adultery. These men take the woman to Jesus and--in order to put him to the test--ask him 'hey, what should we do? Moses said we should stone adulterers, but what do you think?' Notice how these guys, all in apparent good moral standing, want to catch Jesus contradicting the Law. But Jesus can outsmart anyone any day of the week--even on Monday!
Jesus says 'well, that's all right. But let someone who is sinless take the first shot'. PWNED. Yeah, these men might be a bunch of self-righteous men, but they don't dare to make the affirmation that they are sinless... so they all leave the woman alone, with Jesus.
10 Jesus again straightened up and said, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?'
11 'No one, sir,' she replied. 'Neither do I condemn you,' said Jesus. 'Go away, and from this moment sin no more.'
JOHN 8: 10-11
That's right, you got two bible quotes today--you lucky you. In all seriousness, though... look at that! Jesus tells the woman, who was guilty as charged, that He won't condemn her!! See, that's the beauty of our Lord-- whether you are Susanna or the adulteress, God hears your cry! That's why Jesus died on the cross, not because of who we are, but because He is God and He loves us!God's justice is for all!! He saves Susanna for her faith and righteousness, but He also saves the adulteress out of pure love, to give her a second chance. The only condition? 'Go and sin no more, change your ways, convert, turn to me!' God has love for both the good and the bad, but in order to abide in that love we--the bad--must recognize that we are sinners and be contrite of heart.
And yes, there are people in positions of power--even within the Church--that sin horribly and lead others to sin. And yes, one of the biggest illnesses attacking our Church is self-righteousness and hypocrisy (like the men in both these stories). But God is also waiting for them to turn around and truly follow Him. And look, if they don't convert, don't you worry about them and don't make them your excuse to stay away from Jesus' church because, as we saw with those two creepers, God will take care of it--on His own time and terms, but He will.
Lord, thank you for your love and forgiveness! Praise and glory to You forever!
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