March 18, 2013 Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

[이안드레아]

2013년 3월 18일 사순 제5주간 월요일

제1독서

다니엘 예언서. 13,1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62<또는 13,41ㄷ-62>
그 무렵 <1 바빌론에 요야킴이라고 하는 사람이 살고 있었다. 2 그는 수산나라고 하는 힐키야의 딸을 아내로 맞아들였는데, 수산나는 매우 아름답기도 하거니와 주님을 경외하는 여인이었다. 3 수산나의 부모는 의로운 이들로서 그 딸을 모세의 율법에 따라 교육시켰다. 4 한편 요야킴은 아주 부유한 사람으로서 넓은 정원이 그의 집에 맞붙어 있었다. 그는 누구보다도 큰 존경을 받았기 때문에, 유다인들이 늘 그를 찾아오곤 하였다.
5 그런데 그해에 어떤 두 원로가 백성 가운데에서 재판관으로 임명되었다. 바로 그들을 두고 주님께서 이렇게 말씀하신 적이 있다. “바빌론에서, 백성의 지도자로 여겨지는 재판관인 원로들에게서 죄악이 나왔다.” 6 그들이 줄곧 요야킴의 집에 있었으므로, 소송 거리가 있는 이들은 모두 그리로 그들을 찾아갔다. 7 한낮에 사람들이 떠나고 나면, 수산나는 남편의 정원에 들어가 거닐곤 하였다. 8 그렇게 그곳에 들어가 거니는 수산나를 매일 눈여겨본 그 두 원로는 수산나에게 음욕을 품게 되었다. 9 그들은 양심을 억누르고 하늘을 보지 않으려고 눈을 돌린 채, 의로운 판결조차 생각하지 않았다.
15 그들이 알맞은 날을 엿보고 있을 때, 수산나가 여느 때와 마찬가지로 하녀 둘만 데리고 정원으로 들어갔다. 그리고 날이 무더웠으므로 그곳에서 목욕을 하려고 하였다. 16 거기에는 숨어서 수산나를 엿보는 그 두 원로 말고는 아무도 없었다. 17 수산나는 하녀들에게, “내가 목욕을 하게 올리브 기름과 물분을 가져오고 정원 문들을 닫아걸어라.” 하고 말하였다.
19 하녀들이 나가자마자 두 원로는 일어나서 수산나에게 달려가 20 말하였다. “자, 정원 문들은 잠겼고 우리를 보는 이는 아무도 없소. 우리는 당신을 간절히 원하오. 그러니 우리 뜻을 받아들여 우리와 함께 잡시다. 21 그러지 않으면, 어떤 젊은이가 당신과 함께 있었고, 바로 그 때문에 당신이 하녀들을 내보냈다고 증언하겠소.”
22 수산나는 탄식하며 말하였다. “나는 꼼짝 못할 곤경에 빠졌소. 그렇게 하면 그것은 나에게 죽음이고, 그렇게 하지 않는다 하여도 당신들의 손아귀에서 빠져나갈 수가 없을 것이오. 23 주님 앞에 죄를 짓느니, 차라리 그렇게 하지 않고 당신들의 손아귀에 걸려드는 편이 더 낫소.” 24 그러고 나서 수산나는 크게 소리를 질렀다. 그 두 원로도 수산나를 향하여 소리를 지르더니, 25 그 가운데 하나가 달려가서 정원 문들을 열어젖혔다.
26 집에 있던 사람들이 정원에서 나는 고함 소리를 듣고, 옆문으로 뛰어들어 가 수산나에게 일어난 일을 보았다. 27 원로들이 저희 쪽의 이야기를 하자 하인들은 매우 수치스럽게 생각하였다. 수산나를 두고 누가 그와 같은 말을 한 적이 한 번도 없었기 때문이다.
28 다음 날, 수산나의 남편 요야킴의 집으로 백성이 모여들 때, 그 두 원로는 수산나를 죽이겠다는 악한 생각을 가득 품고서 그리로 갔다. 29 그들이 백성 앞에서 말하였다. “사람을 보내어 요야킴의 아내, 힐키야의 딸 수산나를 데려오게 하시오.” 그러자 백성이 사람을 보냈다. 30 수산나는 부모와 자녀들과 모든 친척과 함께 나왔다. 33 그러자 수산나 곁에 있던 이들과 그를 보는 이들이 모두 울었다.
34 그 두 원로는 일어나 백성 한가운데에서 수산나의 머리에 자기들의 손을 얹었다. 35 수산나는 눈물이 가득한 채 하늘을 우러러보았다. 마음으로 주님을 신뢰하고 있었기 때문이다. 36 그 두 원로는 이렇게 말하였다. “우리가 단둘이서 정원을 거닐고 있을 때, 이 여자가 여종 둘을 데리고 정원으로 들어가더니, 정원 문들을 닫아걸고서는 여종들을 내보냈소. 37 그때에 숨어 있던 젊은이 하나가 이 여자에게 가더니 함께 누웠소. 38 정원 구석에 있던 우리는 그 죄악이 벌어지는 것을 보고서 그들에게 달려갔소. 39 그리고 둘이서 정을 통하는 것을 보기는 하였지만, 그자가 우리보다 힘이 세어 붙잡을 수는 없었소. 그래서 그자는 문을 열고 달아나 버렸소. 40 그 대신 이 여자를 붙들고 그 젊은이가 누구냐고 물었지만, 41 이 여자는 그것을 우리에게 알려 주려고 하지 않았소. 이것이 우리의 증언이오.”
그들이 백성의 원로이며 재판관이었기 때문에,> 회중은 <그들을 믿고> 수산나에게 사형을 선고하였다.
42 그때에 수산나가 크게 소리 지르며 말하였다. “아, 영원하신 하느님! 당신께서는 감추어진 것을 아시고 무슨 일이든 일어나기 전에 미리 다 아십니다. 43 또한 당신께서는 이자들이 저에 관하여 거짓된 증언을 하였음도 알고 계십니다. 이자들이 저를 해치려고 악의로 꾸며 낸 것들을 하나도 하지 않았는데, 저는 이제 죽게 되었습니다.”
44 주님께서 수산나의 목소리를 들으셨다. 45 그리하여 사람들이 수산나를 처형하려고 끌고 갈 때, 하느님께서는 다니엘이라고 하는 아주 젊은 사람 안에 있는 거룩한 영을 깨우셨다. 46 그러자 다니엘이 “나는 이 여인의 죽음에 책임이 없습니다.” 하고 큰 소리로 외쳤다. 47 온 백성이 그에게 돌아서서, “그대가 한 말은 무슨 소리요?” 하고 물었다. 48 다니엘은 그들 한가운데에 서서 말하였다. “이스라엘 자손 여러분, 여러분은 어찌 그토록 어리석습니까? 신문을 해 보지도 않고 사실을 알아보지도 않고, 어찌 이스라엘의 딸에게 유죄 판결을 내릴 수가 있습니까? 49 법정으로 돌아가십시오. 이자들은 수산나에 관하여 거짓 증언을 하였습니다.”
50 온 백성은 서둘러 돌아갔다. 그러자 다른 원로들이 그에게 말하였다. “자, 하느님께서 그대에게 원로 지위를 주셨으니 우리 가운데에 앉아서 설명해 보게.” 51 다니엘이 “저들을 서로 멀리 떼어 놓으십시오. 제가 신문을 하겠습니다.” 하고 말하였다.
52 사람들이 그들을 따로 떼어 놓자, 다니엘이 그들 가운데 한 사람을 불러 말하였다. “악한 세월 속에 나이만 먹은 당신, 이제 지난날에 저지른 당신의 죄들이 드러났소. 53 주님께서 ‘죄 없는 이와 의로운 이를 죽여서는 안 된다.’고 말씀하셨는데도, 당신은 죄 없는 이들에게 유죄 판결을 내리고 죄 있는 자들을 놓아주어 불의한 재판을 하였소. 54 자, 당신이 참으로 이 여인을 보았다면, 그 둘이 어느 나무 아래에서 관계하는 것을 보았는지 말해 보시오.” 그자가 “유향나무 아래요.” 하고 대답하였다. 55 그러자 다니엘이 말하였다. “진정 당신은 자기 머리를 내놓고 거짓말을 하였소. 하느님의 천사가 이미 하느님에게서 판결을 받아 왔소. 그리고 이제 당신을 둘로 베어 버릴 것이오.”
56 다니엘은 그 사람을 물러가게 하고 나서 다른 사람을 데려오라고 분부하였다. 그리고 그자에게 말하였다. “유다가 아니라 가나안의 후손인 당신, 아름다움이 당신을 호리고 음욕이 당신 마음을 비뚤어지게 하였소. 57 당신들은 이스라엘의 딸들을 그런 식으로 다루어 왔소. 그 여자들은 겁에 질려 당신들과 관계한 것이오. 그러나 이 유다의 딸은 당신들의 죄악을 허용하지 않았소. 58 자, 그러면, 관계하는 그들을 어느 나무 아래에서 붙잡았는지 나에게 말해 보시오.” 그자가 “떡갈나무 아래요.” 하고 대답하였다. 59 그러자 다니엘이 말하였다. “진정 당신도 자기 머리를 내놓고 거짓말을 하였소. 하느님의 천사가 이미 당신을 둘로 잘라 버리려고 칼을 든 채 기다리고 있소. 그렇게 해서 당신들을 파멸시키려는 것이오.”
60 그러자 온 회중이 크게 소리를 지르며, 당신께 희망을 두는 이들을 구원하시는 하느님을 찬미하였다. 61 다니엘이 그 두 원로에게, 자기들이 거짓 증언을 하였다는 사실을 저희 입으로 입증하게 하였으므로, 온 회중은 그들에게 들고일어났다. 그리고 그들이 이웃을 해치려고 악의로 꾸며 낸 그 방식대로 그들을 처리하였다. 62 모세의 율법에 따라 그들을 사형에 처한 것이다. 이렇게 하여 그날에 무죄한 이가 피를 흘리지 않게 되었다.

복음

요한 8,12-20
그때에 12 예수님께서 바리사이들에게 말씀하셨다. “나는 세상의 빛이다. 나를 따르는 이는 어둠 속을 걷지 않고 생명의 빛을 얻을 것이다.” 13 바리사이들이 “당신이 자신에 관하여 증언하고 있으니, 당신의 증언은 유효하지 않소.” 하고 말하자, 14 예수님께서 그들에게 이르셨다. “내가 나 자신에 관하여 증언하여도 나의 증언은 유효하다. 내가 어디에서 왔고 어디로 가는지 알기 때문이다. 그러나 너희는 내가 어디에서 왔는지, 또 내가 어디로 가는지 알지 못한다. 15 너희는 사람의 기준으로 심판하지만, 나는 아무도 심판하지 않는다. 16 그리고 내가 심판을 하여도 내 심판은 유효하다. 나 혼자가 아니라, 나와 나를 보내신 아버지께서 함께 심판하시기 때문이다. 17 너희의 율법에도 두 사람의 증언은 유효하다고 기록되어 있다. 18 바로 내가 나 자신에 관하여 증언하고, 또 나를 보내신 아버지께서도 나에 관하여 증언하신다.”
19 그들이 예수님께 “당신의 아버지가 어디 있소?” 하고 묻자, 예수님께서 대답하셨다. “너희는 나를 알지 못할 뿐만 아니라, 나의 아버지도 알지 못한다. 너희가 나를 알았더라면 나의 아버지도 알았을 것이다.” 20 이는 예수님께서 성전에서 가르치실 때에 헌금함 곁에서 하신 말씀이다. 그러나 아무도 그분을 잡지 않았다. 그분의 때가 아직 오지 않았기 때문이다.

Monday, March 18, 2013 Daily Mass Reading

March 18, 2013
Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Reading 1

Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62

In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim,
who married a very beautiful and God-fearing woman, Susanna,
the daughter of Hilkiah;
her pious parents had trained their daughter
according to the law of Moses.
Joakim was very rich;
he had a garden near his house,
and the Jews had recourse to him often
because he was the most respected of them all.

That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges,
of whom the Lord said, “Wickedness has come out of Babylon:
from the elders who were to govern the people as judges.”
These men, to whom all brought their cases,
frequented the house of Joakim.
When the people left at noon,
Susanna used to enter her husband’s garden for a walk.
When the old men saw her enter every day for her walk,
they began to lust for her.
They suppressed their consciences;
they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven,
and did not keep in mind just judgments.

One day, while they were waiting for the right moment,
she entered the garden as usual, with two maids only.
She decided to bathe, for the weather was warm.
Nobody else was there except the two elders,
who had hidden themselves and were watching her.
“Bring me oil and soap,” she said to the maids,
“and shut the garden doors while I bathe.”

As soon as the maids had left,
the two old men got up and hurried to her.
“Look,” they said, “the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us;
give in to our desire, and lie with us.
If you refuse, we will testify against you
that you dismissed your maids because a young man was here with you.”

“I am completely trapped,” Susanna groaned.
“If I yield, it will be my death;
if I refuse, I cannot escape your power.
Yet it is better for me to fall into your power without guilt
than to sin before the Lord.”
Then Susanna shrieked, and the old men also shouted at her,
as one of them ran to open the garden doors.
When the people in the house heard the cries from the garden,
they rushed in by the side gate to see what had happened to her.
At the accusations by the old men,
the servants felt very much ashamed,
for never had any such thing been said about Susanna.

When the people came to her husband Joakim the next day,
the two wicked elders also came,
fully determined to put Susanna to death.
Before all the people they ordered:
“Send for Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah,
the wife of Joakim.”
When she was sent for,
she came with her parents, children and all her relatives.
All her relatives and the onlookers were weeping.

In the midst of the people the two elders rose up
and laid their hands on her head.
Through tears she looked up to heaven,
for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly.
The elders made this accusation:
“As we were walking in the garden alone,
this woman entered with two girls
and shut the doors of the garden, dismissing the girls.
A young man, who was hidden there, came and lay with her.
When we, in a corner of the garden, saw this crime,
we ran toward them.
We saw them lying together,
but the man we could not hold, because he was stronger than we;
he opened the doors and ran off.
Then we seized her and asked who the young man was,
but she refused to tell us.
We testify to this.”
The assembly believed them,
since they were elders and judges of the people,
and they condemned her to death.

But Susanna cried aloud:
“O eternal God, you know what is hidden
and are aware of all things before they come to be:
you know that they have testified falsely against me.
Here I am about to die,
though I have done none of the things
with which these wicked men have charged me.”

The Lord heard her prayer.
As she was being led to execution,
God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel,
and he cried aloud:
“I will have no part in the death of this woman.”
All the people turned and asked him, “What is this you are saying?”
He stood in their midst and continued,
“Are you such fools, O children of Israel!
To condemn a woman of Israel without examination
and without clear evidence?
Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her.”

Then all the people returned in haste.
To Daniel the elders said,
“Come, sit with us and inform us,
since God has given you the prestige of old age.”
But he replied,
“Separate these two far from each other that I may examine them.”

After they were separated one from the other,
he called one of them and said:
“How you have grown evil with age!
Now have your past sins come to term:
passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent,
and freeing the guilty, although the Lord says,
‘The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.’
Now, then, if you were a witness,
tell me under what tree you saw them together.”
“Under a mastic tree,” he answered.
Daniel replied, “Your fine lie has cost you your head,
for the angel of God shall receive the sentence from him
and split you in two.”
Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought.
Daniel said to him,
“Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah, beauty has seduced you,
lust has subverted your conscience.
This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel,
and in their fear they yielded to you;
but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your wickedness.
Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together.”
“Under an oak,” he said.
Daniel replied, “Your fine lie has cost you also your head,
for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two
so as to make an end of you both.”

The whole assembly cried aloud,
blessing God who saves those who hope in him.
They rose up against the two elders,
for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of perjury.
According to the law of Moses,
they inflicted on them
the penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor:
they put them to death.
Thus was innocent blood spared that day.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R. (4ab) Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

Gospel

Jn 8:12-20
Jesus spoke to them again, saying,
“I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
So the Pharisees said to him,
“You testify on your own behalf,
so your testimony cannot be verified.”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified,
because I know where I came from and where I am going.
But you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.
And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid,
because I am not alone,
but it is I and the Father who sent me.
Even in your law it is written
that the testimony of two men can be verified.
I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me.”
So they said to him, “Where is your father?”
Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father.
If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
He spoke these words
while teaching in the treasury in the temple area.
But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

REFLECTION

“Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will not walk in darkness.”

We all follow someone or something.
The only question is whether or not
we become better or worse for it,
more full of light or mired in darkness.
To follow Jesus is to follow life
to its center, its end, to goodness, to God.

http://www.staygreat.com/

him got six toes

They made her stand there
in front of everyone. John 8:3

Sidney Robbins, was based in
Panama in World War II. One day,
the troops were taking a break.
Some ragged boys showed up.
They shoved one of the boys for-
ward, jeering him, saying: “Him got
six toes. Him got six toes.” The
boy hung his head, ashamed that
he was a freak. A corporal, sur-
prised everyone by calling out,
“Boys with six toes step up for a
reward.” He then pressed candy
into boy’s hand. The other troops
followed suit filling the boy’s pock-
ets with gum, dimes, and candy.
The boy’s tormentors fell silent at
this unexpected turn of events and
trailed after their treasure-laden
friend, begging his favor.

How sensitive and compassionate
am I to “different” people?

Have a heart that never hardens,
and a temper that never tires,
and a touch that never hurts.
Charles Dickens

http://www.evangeli.net/gospel/gospel.html

I am the Light of the world

oday Jesus gives us a definition of Himself that fills with sense the life of those of us, that despite our many deficiencies, wish to follow him: «I am the Light of the world» (Jn 8:12). Jesus' person, his teachings, his examples of life, are light that lightens all our existence, whether in the good hours or in moments of suffering or contradiction.

What does that mean? That under any circumstances which we may find ourselves in, such as in our work, in our relations with others, in our relation to God, in our joys and in our pains... we may ponder: —What did Jesus do in a similar situation?; we can always look into the Gospels and reply: —So I will do the very same thing! Precisely, John Paul II has incorporated to the Saint Rosary —a “compendium of the Gospels”, as he himself recalls— the mysteries on the public life of Jesus, and has named them “Mysteries of Light”. Thus, the Holy Father says: «It is He who, after being named favored Son of the Father at the Baptism in the Jordan, announces the arrival of the Kingdom, and bears witness of it with his deeds while proclaiming his demands».

Jesus is Light and «the one who follows him will not walk in darkness, but will have light and life» (Jn 8:12). As his own disciples, the Lord also invites us to be light for the world; to shine a light of hope amidst the violence, mistrust and fear of our brothers; a light of faith amidst their darkness, doubts and queries; a light of love amidst the many lies, bitterness and passions that surround us.

The Holy Father, as a backdrop to all the mysteries of light, reminds us of Mary's words at the Cana wedding: «Do whatever He tells you» (Jn 2:5): this is the right way for Jesus to be the Light of the World and for ourselves to be able to illuminate with this same light.

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

The story of “Susanna and the Judgment of Daniel,” today’s Old Testament Reading Is one frequently illustrated in books about Scripture: Susanna, portrayed as a young women “of great beauty,” somewhat curvaceous, with a fearful look, eyes cast upward, pleading for God’s help while skulking in the background two elderly men whose painted demeanors betrayed evil thoughts.

Susanna was condemned to death by the false story of two community “elders” who accused her of ”having lain” with a young man who conveniently gotten away. In truth, the two men lusted after her, and when she refused them, they concocted the young man and her actions with him. She was then found guilty and condemned to death. Susanna cried out to God for rescue, proclaiming her innocence and fidelity to God and God’s Law.

Enter Daniel, at this writing a young man, in whom “the holy spirit of him” was stirred up. Daniel set a trap for the two liars: he questioned them singly, asking, “Under what kind of tree did Susanna and the young man lay?” When they each gave a different response, they were caught! Their wickedness was revealed. They were killed. Susanna was saved; and “From that day onwards, Daniel’s reputation stood high with the people.” Dan 13: 64.

Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus’ proclamation that “I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life.” Not surprisingly, the Pharisees took issue with Jesus’ claim for Himself. It comes at a point where Jesus is embarking on the kind of self-description that eventually gets him killed, and subsequently separates those who believe in Him and those who do not.

Daniel in his rescue of Susanna, blessed her as someone who believes in God; in the Gospel, Jesus is describing one aspect of belief in him as God, that of bringing light to the world, to those who will no longer walk in darkness.

These are the days leading up to the arrest and death of Jesus; in themselves, these are serious days. If in addition, we are experiencing our own days of suffering: wrongful accusations, unresolved relationships, feelings of disappointments, fears of economic peril, questions arise:
How do I receive these situations? Am I able to trust in God’s ultimate care and continue to call on his mercy? And even further: Am I willing to choose to be a “light of the world,” assuring that those who walk with me are in the “light” at least as much as I can control that?

I think of the saying: “Christianity is not for wimps!” No kidding.

http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/
"Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness"

When accusations are brought against you, how do you respond and where do you turn for help? The Book of Daniel tells the story of Susanna, a godly woman who loved God and his word. She was unjustly accused of adultery by two elder judges who had tried to seduce her. Since adultery was a serious offense punishable by stoning to death, the law of Moses required at least two witnesses, rather than one, to convict a person. Susanna knew she had no hope of clearing her good reputation and escaping death apart from God's merciful intervention. Daniel tells us that she looked up to heaven and cried out to the Lord for his help (Daniel 13:35). The two elders who wanted to sin with her had done just the opposite – they hid themselves from God's sight and they kept their secret sin hidden from the people as well. They brought false charges against her in revenge for her refusal to sin with them. God in his mercy heard the plea of Susanna and he punished the two elders for giving false witness.

Unjust accusations against Jesus
The Gospel accounts describe how Jesus had to face unjust accusations made by the Pharisees, the ruling elders of Israel. They were upset with Jesus' teaching and his healing on the Sabbath. They plotted what charges they might bring against him in order to arrest him and bring him to trial. They wanted to not only silence him, but put him to death for his claim to be the Messiah. They accused him of blasphemy because he claimed that have authority equal with God.

In chapter 8 of John's Gospel, we hear the account where Jesus publicly proclaims in the Temple at Jerusalem that he is the "light of the world" (John 8:12). Jesus spoke these words around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Festival of Lights. This statement must have made a striking impression on the Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem for the occasion. For eight nights the great candelabras which stood in the Temple courtyard lit the Jerusalem skyline with a blaze of dazzeling light. Jesus' statement very likely came at the end of the Festival when the great lights where extinguished. In so many words, Jesus says he is the one true light which no one can extinguish or diminish (see John 1:4-5). He is the true light not only for God's chosen people Israel, but for all peoples and nations as well.

Many of the scribes and Pharisees reacted with shock and disbelief when they heard Jesus describe himself as light of the world and light of life (John 8:12). In the Gospel of John we hear seven "I am" statements from the lips of Jesus: "I am the Bread of Life" (John 6:35), "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12), "I am the Gate" (John 10:9), "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11), "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25), "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6), and "I am the Vine" (John 15:5). Jesus also emphatically stated, "Truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). When Moses asked God to reveal his name. God responded by saying, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:13-14). When the Pharisees heard Jesus says "I am the light", they clearly understood that Jesus was making a claim which only God could make. The word light in Scripture was especially associated with God. The Lord is my light (Psalm 27:1). The Lord will be your everlasting light (Isaiah 60:19). When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me (Micah 7:8).

The scribes and Pharisees demanded that Jesus produce signs and witnesses to prove his claim. But the testimony and signs which Jesus gave did not satisfy the religious rulers because they had already determined in their own minds that he needed to be eliminated since his teaching did not agree with their own view and interpretation of the law of Moses (John 5:39-46). Their judgment was based on wrong assumptions and an evil intention to put Jesus to death. Jesus stated that his authority was not based on human knowledge and perception but on the knowledge and revelation which came from God. Jesus' rightfully claimed that his authority came from his heavenly Father (John 5:19,21,26-27,36; John 8:28). No one could do the mighty works which he did and speak with such authority unless it had been given to him by the Father.

The light Jesus came to give us
What did Jesus mean by the expression‎ I am the light of the world and light of life (John 8:12)? The light Jesus came to give is the light of God's revelation – his beauty, truth, wisdom, and power. God's light exposes the darkness of sin which is often hidden and sometimes even unknown to us. His light brings healing, pardon, and restoration as well – freeing us from the burden of guilt and the scars of sin's effect on us, physically, spirititually, and emotionally. We need God's penetrating light to shine into our innermost being so he can remove wrong patterns of thoughts, attitudes, and hurtful desires. Sin clouds our vision of what is good and right and leads us down the wrong path. God's light shows us the way that leads to peace, joy, and true happiness and fulfillment. The light which the Lord Jesus offers produces in us abundant life and great fruitfulness. Just as natural life depends on light for energy, warmth, and growth (without it nothing could live or grow), so the light of heaven produces abundant and fruitful spiritual life for those who receive it. The light which Jesus gives enables us to walk freely and confidently without stumbling in the darkness of sin and unbelief. His light warms our heart to the truth of God's love and it opens our vision to the reality of God's kingdom. Do you walk confidently in the light of God's truth and love?

"O gracious and Holy Father, give us wisdom to perceive you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Saint Benedict of Nursia, 480-547 AD)

Psalm 23:1-6
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;
2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html

We often see pictures of Christ alone and we know from scripture that He would go off by Himself to pray. We are reminded however in the gospel of today that Christ was very much aware of the presence of His Father. He stated, "I am not alone, but it is I and the Father who sent me."
(John 8:16)

The same can be said of us. Though we may feel alone, we are never alone. Christ has told us that He is with us always. We also have our guardian angel looking out for us at all times. Not only are we not alone, but Christ said, "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
(John 8:12)

Let us take today as a reminder that, though we may feel alone, even to the point of experiencing loneliness at times, we are never alone. As alone as Christ must have felt while dying on the cross for us, He was aware of His Father and spoke to Him in prayer. Let us not confuse "knowing" and "feeling."

We "know" Christ is always with us.

http://www.contemplative.com/weekday_readings.htm

Scripture scholars don't know where to place this section of John’s Gospel. Does it belong in John's Gospel or in Luke's? But in itself it remains God's Word. This Gospel Reading is a powerful witness to God’s forgiveness that follows upon true repentance. In this simple narrative Jesus brings us to the center of God's compassion. In Jesus there is now no condemnation for those who are broken-hearted because of their sins. In Jesus there is the power to overcome sin. “Sin no more.” Jesus has the power to forgive sins and to enable us ultimately to be free from the effects of sin. Lent is our struggle to enter into that mystery of redemption from sin. The redemption is won by Christ's death and resurrection. We identify with the woman taken in adultery: we lie at the feet of Jesus, indeed worthy of condemnation, but expecting compassion. There are no others around. We see the absoluteness of that moment wherein we take responsibility for our sins and then receive forgiveness and new life free of the sins that had enslaved us. It is at the heart of the Paschal mystery.

http://goodnews.ie/calendar.php

It took a Byzantine, Theophylact of Ohrid (1055-1107) to see an insult in the Pharisees’ question, ‘Where is your father?’: “This was said in contempt, to insinuate either that he was born of fornication, and did not know who his father was; or as a slur on the low situation of his father, i.e. Joseph; as if to say, ‘Your father is an obscure, low-class person; why do you so often mention him?’ So because they asked the question to quiz him, not to get at the truth, Jesus answered, ‘You neither know me, nor my Father.’”

Whatever the insinuation, Jesus replied, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He was telling them that they had no idea who he was.

But had he not said earlier, “You know me, and you know where I am from” (7:28)?

There is knowing and knowing. There is superficial acquaintance, which is little better than information. It can even be a barrier to deeper knowing. If someone is a complete stranger to me I can be open to discovering depth in him or her: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels unawares” (Heb 13:2). But if I see a person every day and know where he lives, I may think there is nothing much to him. Great people don’t carry a placard saying, ‘I’m a great person’; they are usually indistinguishable in the crowd. People said of Jesus, “Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary?” (Mk 6:3).

St Augustine wrote: “The sun throws its light equally on the faces of the blind and the sighted, but only the sighted see it. Just so, the Wisdom of God, the Word, is everywhere present, even to the minds of unbelievers; but they have not the eyes of the understanding, with which to see.”

http://www.presentationministries.com/

BATH AND BODY

"She decided to bathe." 뾆aniel 13:15

Today's first reading is more than a story of good triumphing over evil. It's an Old Testament preview of Baptism. When Susanna enters her bath (Dn 13:17-18), she is surrounded by the powers of evil, as represented by the two corrupt elders. Susanna is immersed in a dilemma of whether to save her life by yielding to evil or to cling to holiness and purity at the cost of her life (Dn 13:22). Susanna rises from her bath determined to trust in God, saying to the evil judges, "It is better for me to fall into your power without guilt than to sin before the Lord" (Dn 13:23).

Susanna rose from the waters of her bath free, pure, and victorious over the kingdom of darkness. As we are baptized, we emerge from the waters redeemed and uncondemned (see Rm 8:1). Most of us were baptized as infants. We can't remember emerging from the waters free and victorious. In her wisdom, the Church therefore calls us to regularly renew our Baptisms. This makes our Baptism new and alive for us. Just as important, it challenges us to live our Baptism in a new, holy, and faith-filled lifestyle.

In a few weeks, you will renew your Baptism at Easter Vigil and/or Easter Sunday Mass. As Susanna did, make the decision to entrust your life completely to the Lord. Prepare now to renew your Baptism. Reject sin and Satan. Hunger and thirst for holiness (Mt 5:6). Refuse to compromise with the kingdom of darkness in any way, even if you must endure persecution for holiness' sake (see Mt 5:10). Choose to be pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn 3:3).

Prayer: Jesus, you gave up Your body for me (Lk 22:19). I give up my body for You. Be glorified in my body (1 Cor 6:20).

Promise: "The Lord is my Shepherd...Beside restful waters He leads me; He refreshes my soul." 뾒s 23:1-3

Praise: St. Cyril encouraged catechumens: "Remove all obstacles and stumbling blocks so that you will be able to go straight along the road to eternal life."