Daily Readings - Mon Apr 04 2022
Daniel
1And there was a man living in Babylon, and his name was Joakim2And he received a wife named Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, who was very beautiful and God-fearing3For her parents, because they were righteous, had educated their daughter according to the law of Moses4But Joakim was very wealthy, and he had an orchard near his house, and the Jews flocked to him, because he was the most honorable of them all5And two elder judges had been appointed among the people that year, about whom the Lord has said, "Iniquity has come out of Babylon, from the elder judges, who seemed to govern the people.6These frequented the house of Joakim, and all came to them, who had need of judgment7But when the people departed at noontime, Susanna went in and walked around in her husband’s orchard8And the elders saw her entering and walking around every day, and they were inflamed with desire towards her9And they perverted their reason and turned away their eyes, so that they would not look to heaven, nor call to mind just judgments15But it happened, while they watched for an opportune day, that she entered at a particular time, just as yesterday and the day before, with only two maids, and she wanted to wash in the orchard, because it was so hot16And there was no one there, except the two elders in hiding, and they were studying her17And so she said to the maids, "Bring me oil and ointments, and shut the doors of the orchard, so that I may wash.19But when the maids had departed, the two elders arose and hurried to her, and they said20"Behold, the doors of the orchard are closed, and no one can see us, and we are in desire for you. Because of these things, consent to us and lie with us21But if you will not, we will bear witness against you that a young man was with you and, for this reason, you sent your maids away from you.22Susanna sighed and said, "I am closed in on every side. For if I do this thing, it is death to me; yet if I do not do it, I will not escape your hands23But it is better for me to fall unavoidably into your hands, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.24And Susanna cried out with a loud voice, but the elders also cried out against her25And one of them hurried to the door of the orchard and opened it26And so, when the servants of the house heard the outcry in the orchard, they rushed in by the back door to see what was happening27But after the old men had spoken, the servants were greatly ashamed, for there had never been anything of this kind said about Susanna. And it happened on the next day28when the people came to Joakim her husband, that the two appointed elders also came, full of wicked plans against Susanna, in order to put her to death29And they said before the people, "Send for Susanna, daughter of Hilkiah, the wife of Joakim." And immediately they sent for her30And she arrived with her parents, and sons, and all her relatives33Therefore, her own and all who knew her wept34Yet the two appointed elders, rising up in the midst of the people, set their hands upon her head35And weeping, she gazed up to heaven, for her heart had faith in the Lord36And the appointed elders said, "While we were taking a walk in the orchard alone, this one came in with two maids, and she shut the doors of the orchard, and she sent the maids away from her37And a young man came to her, who was in hiding, and he lay down with her38Furthermore, since we were in a corner of the orchard, seeing this wickedness, we ran up to them, and we saw them consorting together39And, indeed, we were unable to catch him, because he was stronger than us, and opening the doors, he leaped out40But, since we had apprehended this one, we demanded to know who the young man was, but she was unwilling to tell us. On this matter, we are witnesses.41The multitude believed them, just as if they were elders and the judges of the people, and they condemned her to death42But Susanna cried out with a loud voice and said, "Eternal God, who knows what is hidden, who knows all things before they happen43you know that they have borne false witness against me, and behold, I must die, though I have done none of these things, which these men have maliciously invented against me.44But the Lord heeded her voice45And when she was led away to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young boy, whose name was Daniel46And he cried out with a loud voice, "I am clean of the blood of this one.47And all the people, turning back towards him, said, "What is this word that you are saying?48But he, while standing in the midst of them, said, "Are you so foolish, sons of Israel, that without judging and without knowing what the truth is, you have condemned a daughter of Israel49Return to judgment, because they have spoken false witness against her.50Therefore, the people returned with haste, and the old men said to him, "Come and sit down in our midst and show us, since God has given you the honor of old age.51And Daniel said to them, "Separate these at a distance from one another, and I will judge between them.52And so, when they were divided, one from the other, he called one of them, and he said to him, "You deep-rooted ancient evil, now your sins have come out, which you have committed before53judging unjust judgments, oppressing the innocent, and setting free the guilty, though the Lord declares, ‘The innocent and the just you must not put to death.54Now then, if you saw her, declare under which tree you saw them conversing together." He said, "Under an evergreen mastic tree.55But Daniel said, "Truly, you have lied against your own head. For behold, the angel of God, having received the sentence from him, will split you down the middle56And, having put him aside, he commanded the other to approach, and he said to him, "You offspring of Canaan, and not of Judah, beauty has deceived you, and desire has perverted your heart57Thus did you do to the daughters of Israel, and they, out of fear, consorted with you, but a daughter of Judah would not tolerate your iniquity58Now then, declare to me, under which tree you caught them conversing together." He said, "Under an evergreen oak tree.59And Daniel said to him, "Truly, you also have lied against your own head. For the angel of the Lord waits, holding a sword, to cut you down the middle and put you to death.60And then the entire assembly cried out in a loud voice, and they blessed God, who saves those who hope in him61And they rose up against the two appointed elders, (for Daniel had convicted them, by their own mouth, of bearing false witness,) and they did to them just as they had wickedly done against their neighbor62so as to act according to the law of Moses. And they put them to death, and innocent blood was saved on that day63But Hilkiah and his wife praised God for their daughter, Susanna, with Joakim, her husband, and all her relatives, because there had been found in her no disgrace64And so Daniel became great in the sight of the people from that day, and thereafter
John
12Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me does not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.13And so the Pharisees said to him, "You offer testimony about yourself; your testimony is not true.14Jesus responded and said to them: "Even though I offer testimony about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going15You judge according to the flesh. I do not judge anyone16And when I do judge, my judgment is true. For I am not alone, but it is I and he who sent me: the Father17And it is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true18I am one who offers testimony about myself, and the Father who sent me offers testimony about me.19Therefore, they said to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered: "You know neither me, nor my Father. If you did know me, perhaps you would know my Father also.20Jesus spoke these words at the treasury, while teaching in the temple. And no one apprehended him, because his hour had not yet come
Sermon
The first reading from the Book of Daniel tells the story of Susanna, a righteous and beautiful woman falsely accused by two corrupt elders who sought to exploit her. Despite the elders’ deceit and the danger of death, Susanna refused to sin against God, trusting in His providence. Her faith was rewarded when the young prophet Daniel intervened, exposing the elders’ lies and saving her from execution. This story highlights the power of integrity, the dangers of false testimony, and the ultimate triumph of truth.
In the Gospel, Jesus declares Himself the “light of the world,” emphasizing that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness. He defends His testimony against the Pharisees, who question its validity. Jesus explains that His judgment is true because it is not based on human opinion but on the unity of His will with the Father’s. He reminds them that His Father also testifies on His behalf, fulfilling the requirement of two witnesses in Jewish law. This passage underscores the divine authority of Jesus’ words and the importance of recognizing God’s truth in a world often shrouded in darkness.
Both readings invite us to reflect on the nature of truth and integrity. Like Susanna, we may face situations where we are tempted to compromise our values or face false accusations. Jesus’ words remind us that true light comes from God, and we must trust in His divine plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Let us strive to live with the same courage and faith as Susanna, and may we follow Christ, the light of the world, who guides us through life’s challenges and leads us to eternal truth.