Lenten Moments of Mercy: Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent   When we are merciful, we see people as they truly are.

Scripture “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12   Reflection We find it all too easy to make judgments about people, to stereotype them. If something negative happens to someone we do not particularly like, we can feel a sense of satisfaction. We can think that somehow justice has been served. In today’s readings there are two instances when a false sense of justice and obedience to the Law obscures who the person was standing before those in judgment. In the first reading from Daniel 13:41‒62, a beautiful woman, Susanna, was being condemned by two corrupt old judges who lusted after her. They entrapped her in a secluded garden and threatened to expose her if she did not bow to their wishes. Susanna refused, and when she cried for help, the corrupt judges called out that they had witnessed her committing adultery. When Susanna was brought before the court for judgment, it was the same old judges who condemned her. Susanna cried out to God for help. As she was being brought away to be executed for her crime, the young prophet Daniel heard her cry and recognized her for who she was as a person. Daniel condemned the proceedings:   Taking his stand among them he said, “Are you such fools, O Israelites, as to condemn a daughter of Israel without examination and without learning the facts? Return to court, for these men have given false evidence against her” (Daniel 13:48). The people listened to Daniel and they returned to court. Daniel interrogated the judges, who condemned themselves in their false testimony. The judges were executed, and Susanna was returned to her family. In today’s Gospel reading (John 8:12–20) Jesus continues to face his accusers who could not see him for who he is. They continued to prejudge him according to their legal opinions. In legal terms of the time, a person presenting a case needed two witnesses to support the case. They claimed that Jesus had no one else to support his claims. Jesus answered that he is supported by his Father. The Father had sent him, and he testifies on his Father’s behalf. Earlier in John’s Gospel, they have witnessed Jesus’ healing and merciful presence but have only reacted with hostility. Jesus told them, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (John 8:19). Clinging to their legal opinions, the religious authorities could not identify who Jesus was. Although Jesus had arrived to fulfill all that the Old Testament had promised in the Father’s name, their distorted sense of legal justice prevented them from accepting and loving the Father’s only merciful Son who stood before them.

Pope Francis “Where there is no mercy, there is no justice.” Morning Meditation, 23 March 2015   Lenten Action ► Consider whether you might help an organization that helps women with your time or money. ► Pray with The Ignatian Workout for Lent this week.   Prayer Lord Jesus, lead us by your light so we may see others for who they are.

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