Today's reading in Daniel is one of the longest ones in this liturgical year. It tells the story of a woman named Susanna, who is falsely accused of commiting a sinful act. The two men, who are her accusers, want to get even with her for declining their advances. Susanna sticks by her story that she is blameless, but the people won't hear of it and condemn her. Susanna cries out to God to help her, to spare her this unfounded charge that will result in her death. God hears her pleas and sends someone who will appear as a neutral party to save Susanna. Daniel stops the crowd as they are leading Susanna to her end. Daniel uses a technique that police still use to this day. He seperates the two men to see if their stories corroberate. The one elder says that he saw Susanna under the mastic tree. The other says it was an oak tree. Obviously someone is lying here. Daniel tells the people that these men lie and they are to be put to death for their slander. Susanna's life and reputation are spared because she stayed true to her faith and knew God would save her.
This is a very powerful story. In recent years we have heard so many stories of women who had bravely came forward after being sexually abused. Those that have spoken up were grilled mercilessly, their stories doubted. In some cases, even though the stories were true, there just wasn't enough concrete evidence to bring charges. That is a hard thing to face. The world is full of injustice. Life is unfair. It's as simple as that. The only way we can survive it is if we ask Jesus to keep leading us on the right path. To ease our suffering. To hear our pleas when we are at the bottom of the well. We need to pray for those who commit the wrongs just as much as we must pray for the victims.
Our story in John plays out like some episode of "Law & Order". The Pharisees (think the prosecuting attorney) are telling Jesus He can't represent Himself. How will He be able to prove His case? It's His word against everyone elses! As the old saying goes "The man who represents himself has a fool for a client". But, here's the twist. Jesus is no fool. He is very shrewd and intelligent. He knows how to handle these people. He tells them that he can make His case. Then He goes on to remind the Pharisees of their own law "Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men can be verified." (Jn 8:17, NAB). This gives them pause, until they ask where Jesus's Father is. Jesus states simply that if these men knew who He was, they would also know God. In other words, if they believed in Jesus and that Jesus is more or less God's "proxy", then they would also know God. This shut down the Pharisees case!
The story ends with, "But no one arrested Him because His hour had not come" (Jn 8:20, NAB). This is the same ending we have been seeing in our readings. It just means that nothing is meant to happen to Jesus yet. The story isn't over. There's still more to go. We have another week to go before the prophesy of Jesus's death and resurrection come into play.
There is a song playing currently as I write this, "Cry Out To Jesus" by Third Day. It is quite the divine providence that this would be playing now..
"There is hope for the helpless, Rest for the weary, love for the broken heart. There is grace and forgivenesss, mercy and healing. He'll meet you wherever you are." (From the album Wherever You Are, 2005, © Third Day).
I think this is a rather fitting song to go with our readings today. It tells us that no matter what we are going through, no matter what hurt, what helplessness we may be feeling, all we need is to reach out to Jesus and He will give us that hand up that we need. He will give us respite from our suffering.
Remember in your daily prayers those who are suffering injustice, who have been sexually abused, the ones who have been forgotten, the ones who battle every day just to stay alive. And, as always... be a nice human. 😇 Everyone is fighting some kind of battle.
Here is the music video for "Cry Out to Jesus": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmVxRl5bc4Y
A reflection on today's reading from Msgr. James Vlaun, Pres & CEO of Catholic Faith Network: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video/2022-04-04-reflection-251
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