Daily Readings - Mon Mar 18 2024
John
1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful stories that explore themes of justice, mercy, and the integrity of faith. The first reading from Daniel tells the story of Susanna, a righteous woman falsely accused by two corrupt elders. Despite the danger, Susanna refuses to compromise her faith, trusting in God’s deliverance. Through the wisdom of Daniel, the truth is revealed, and justice is served. The Gospel from John presents a similar scenario: a woman caught in adultery is brought before Jesus. While the Pharisees seek to condemn her, Jesus challenges them to examine their own sinfulness before judging others. In the end, Jesus offers her mercy and a new beginning.
Both stories highlight the importance of standing firm in the face of injustice and the transformative power of God’s mercy. In Daniel, we see how corruption and false accusations can threaten the innocent, but also how God’s justice prevails through the courage of Susanna and the wisdom of Daniel. In John’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us that true judgment must be tempered with compassion and self-reflection. These readings remind us that our faith is not just about following rules but about living with integrity and trusting in God’s providence.
In our daily lives, these stories call us to reflect on how we judge others and ourselves. Do we act with the integrity of Susanna, refusing to compromise our values even in difficult situations? Do we extend the same mercy to others that Jesus offered the woman caught in adultery? Let us strive to be people of truth and compassion, trusting in God’s justice and grace. May we, like Susanna and the woman in the Gospel, find the strength to stand firm in our faith and to live with hearts open to God’s love.