Testimony and Light

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to acknowledge that our relationship with Christ is the Way to bring light into situations that are darkened by human passions and prejudices.

Light to the World

The reading from the Book of Daniel describes the false accusations against Susanna.

* [13:1–14:42] The short stories in these two chapters exist now only in Greek and other translations, but probably were first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic. They were never part of the Hebrew-Aramaic Book of Daniel, or of the Hebrew Bible. They are excluded from the Protestant canon of Scripture, but the Catholic Church has always included them among the inspired writings; they existed in the Septuagint, which was used as its Bible by the early church. (Daniel, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)

Psalm 23 proclaims The Divine Shepherd.

* [Psalm 23] God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Ps 23:1–4) and a host’s generosity toward a guest (Ps 23:5–6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Is 40:11; 49:10; Jer 31:10). (Psalms, PSALM 23, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims The Light of the World.

* [8:12–20] Jesus the light of the world. Jesus replaces the four torches of the illumination of the temple as the light of joy.

* [8:14] My testimony can be verified: this seems to contradict Jn 5:31 but the emphasis here is on Jesus’ origin from the Father and his divine destiny. Where I am going: indicates Jesus’ passion and glorification.

* [8:15] By appearances: literally, “according to the flesh.” I do not judge anyone: superficial contradiction of Jn 5:22, 27, 30; here the emphasis is that the judgment is not by material standards.

* [8:17] Your law: a reflection of later controversy between church and synagogue. (John, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Kent Beausoleil, S.J. comments that the texts today challenge us to live in the light, to live always in the light of the truth of God’s undying love for us, and uncover what is still dark in us, our human condition, and our world.

Susanna and Jesus called us, on this fifth Monday in Lent, in a not so ordinarily Monday liturgically, to take a stand for truth and light in the many ways that that the energies of deception, hate, violence, false witness, and powers that shame, perpetuate injustice and are not God’s mercy still have energy because of our complacency, fear in believing that God loves us to the core of our being, and then looking out from that love, out into the world and then doing nothing about transforming that world with love. We, through our inaction and lack of belief, let deception, and darkness, live. I don’t know about you, but I have some powerful prayer and reflection in me, concerning this message today. (Beausoleil, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Walking in the Light of Life,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

[That unfailing Light] has taken you from the eyes of the flesh and brought you back again to the eyes of the heart! He does not think it enough to say... "shall have light" but adds "of life," even as in the psalm it was said, "[In your light shall we see light]; for with you is the fountain of life" (Psalm 36:9). See how the words of our Lord agree with the truth of that psalm where light is placed with the fountain of life and now here he speaks of the "light of life." For bodily uses, light is one thing and a well another. Our mouths seek a fountain; our eyes seek the light. When we thirst, we seek a fountain; when we are in darkness we seek light. And if we happen to get thirsty in the night, we kindle a light to come to a fountain. With God the light and the well are the same. The one who shines on you so that you may see him is the same one who flows to you so that you may drink him.

You see then what kind of light this is if you see inwardly the light of which he says, "He that follows me shall not walk in darkness." Follow the sun, and let us see if you will not walk in darkness. When the sun rises, it comes toward you and heads on to the west. But perhaps your journey is toward the east. So if you follow the sun, then you will certainly err and instead of going east you will go west, whether by land... or by sea. Finally, you decide that you should follow the sun, and you travel to the west, where it also travels. Let us see if, after it sets, you will not still walk in darkness. See how, though you are unwilling to desert it, yet it will desert you in order to finish out its service for the day. But our Lord Jesus Christ, even when he was not made known to all through the cloud of his flesh, still held all things by the power of his wisdom. Your God is everywhere entirely. If you do not fall away from him, he will never fall away from you. [excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 34.5-6.18] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 comments that there are times in life when we, too, face difficult choices with unknown outcomes. Perhaps we have felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to have a challenging conversation with someone, but we are unsure how the person will respond. Or we have seen the need to distance ourselves from an unhealthy friendship, but we are apprehensive about how we will fill the empty space left behind.

It can be easy to limit ourselves to what we think is possible. Either I will win or lose this argument; either I keep the peace or risk humiliation. But God is so much bigger than the possibilities that we see in front of us! He can use a young prophet to intervene; he can even speak through a donkey (Numbers 22:28)! So trust him today, even if your options seem bleak. Acknowledge his love and care for you, and watch how he comes through for you.

“Lord, strengthen me to obey and follow you today, even in the hard choices. I trust you!” (Meditation on Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Daniel 13 is a very long account of false accusations against Suzanna, existing only in Greek and not included in the Hebrew and Protestant canon. Old men, who are supposed to be virtuous, seek to trap Suzanna for sexual purposes but she is saved by the cleverness of young Daniel. Friar Jude notes that Jesus' testimony to be the Light of the World is supported by the witness of the Father.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, emphasizes how the desert mystics were not just seeking a change in lifestyle but a change in consciousness. The seeking of “dispassion” or apatheia for ancient solitary monastics referred to the inner peace and contentment that they discovered through their profound experience of what they often called “prayer of quiet,” building on Jesus’ talk of “going to your inner room” and “not babbling on like the pagans do” (see Matthew 6:6–8). In this early period, “prayer” didn’t refer to some kind of problem-solving transaction between humans and God, nor was it about saying words to God. It was quite literally “putting on a different thinking cap,” as the nuns used to say to us. It seems that it wasn’t “thinking” at all, as we now understand it, because such thinking is too often just reacting to or writing repetitive commentaries on the moment.

“Dispassion” was the desert mothers’ and fathers’ notion of freedom and salvation, long before we devolved into the much-later notion of salvation as being transported to another realm. For many today, God is seen—and used—as a partner in our private evacuation plan more than any Love Encountered that transforms mind or liberates heart. This is revealed in the little, if any, concern that many Christians show for justice, the earth, or the poor. The fruits of love are often not apparent in them, and not even of much interest to many of them.  

I now believe that the other reality we are rightly seeking is not elsewhere or in the future but right in our own hearts and heads! If we put on an entirely different mind, then heaven takes care of itself and, in fact, begins now. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to guide our transformation to allow love to be our guide to understanding how to make the Light of Christ present in the trials and transactions of our journey.

References

Beausoleil, K. (2025, April 7). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 7, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040725.html 

Daniel, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/13?1 

John, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/8?12 

Meditation on Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 7, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/07/1242895/ 

Psalms, PSALM 23. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Change in Consciousness. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 7, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-change-in-consciousness/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Whoever Follows Me Will Not Walk in Darkness. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 7, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr7 

Treachery and Mercy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be aware of passions that lead us away from full life and the desire of Christ to be merciful in dealing with our brokenness.

Passion and Compassion

The reading from the Book of Daniel is the story of Susanna and the treacherous elders.

* [13:1–14:42] The short stories in these two chapters exist now only in Greek and other translations, but probably were first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic. They were never part of the Hebrew-Aramaic Book of Daniel, or of the Hebrew Bible. They are excluded from the Protestant canon of Scripture, but the Catholic Church has always included them among the inspired writings; they existed in the Septuagint, which was used as its Bible by the early church.

* [13:55–59] The contrast between the mastic tree, which is small, and the majestic oak emphasizes the contradiction between the statements of the two elders. In the Greek text there is a play on words between the names of these two trees and the mortal punishment decreed by Daniel for the elders. The mastic tree (schinon) sounds like the verb “to split” (schisai). The oak tree (prinon) suggests a play on poisai (to saw). (Daniel, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 23 praises the Divine Shepherd.

* [Psalm 23] God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Ps 23:1–4) and a host’s generosity toward a guest (Ps 23:5–6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Is 40:11; 49:10; Jer 31:10). (Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus shows mercy to a woman caught in adultery.

* [7:53–8:11] The story of the woman caught in adultery is a later insertion here, missing from all early Greek manuscripts. A Western text-type insertion, attested mainly in Old Latin translations, it is found in different places in different manuscripts: here, or after Jn 7:36 or at the end of this gospel, or after Lk 21:38, or at the end of that gospel. There are many non-Johannine features in the language, and there are also many doubtful readings within the passage. The style and motifs are similar to those of Luke, and it fits better with the general situation at the end of Lk 21: but it was probably inserted here because of the allusion to Jer 17:13 (cf. note on Jn 8:6) and the statement, “I do not judge anyone,” in Jn 8:15. The Catholic Church accepts this passage as canonical scripture. (John, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available at publication time.

Don Schwager quotes “Aided by Christ's grace,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"No one of us does anything good unless aided by Christ's grace. What we do badly comes from ourselves; what we do well, we do with the help of God. Therefore, let us give thanks to God who made it possible. And when we do well, let us not insult anyone who does not act in the same way. Let us not extol ourselves above such a person." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 93,15) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 8:1-11 comments that Jesus did not condemn the woman who had committed adultery. He did not condemn the accusers who were allied against him. As St. Paul wrote, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

The woman caught in adultery thought her time was up; she thought her sin would lead to her death. But Jesus wants all of us to live! So come to him without fear, confess your sin, and let him pour out his mercy on you. Most likely you will fall again, maybe even today. But even if you do, know that Jesus is always willing to offer you his love, his mercy—and a new tomorrow!

“Lord Jesus, I praise you for a mercy that is new every morning.” (Meditation on John 8:1-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the account of Susanna in the Chapter 13 of Daniel, accepted as canonical by Roman Catholics and Orthodox, wherein the wise intervention of a young man convicts the elders of their treachery and consequently leads to their execution. The passage of the woman in the Gospel contains elements of style and composition that are different from that in most of John’s Gospel. Friar Jude notes that in the account of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus responds to her brokenness with mercy.

Barbara Holmes shares her experience with everyday mysticism.

The weird part is that all of this seemed normal to me. Despite the fact that schooling and further education tried to invalidate my experience, I knew that everyday mysticism was real. I could not be persuaded or taught otherwise. I’m describing mysticism as a natural part of everyday life and all of the things that I’m describing happened in ordinary time. There was no weird music, sweeping cloaks, or spooky incantations … just a deep understanding of the sacred and a willingness to allow the gifts to lead. (Holmes, n.d.)

We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us away from following the false attraction of self satisfaction and towards the mercy of Jesus in our brokenness. 

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/13?1 

Holmes, B. (n.d.). A Life Steeped in Mystery. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-life-steeped-in-mystery/ 

John, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/8? 

Meditation on John 8:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/03/18/915219/ 

Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=mar18 

Goodness and Mercy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary ( add Daniel 13 ) today challenge us to pause and seek the guidance of the Spirit as we look beyond our first assessment of events to consider the changes that mercy and compassion might bring to the situation.

Leading to Still Waters

The reading from the Book of Daniel tells of the false accusations against Susanna.

* [13:1–14:42] The short stories in these two chapters exist now only in Greek and other translations, but probably were first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic. They were never part of the Hebrew-Aramaic Book of Daniel, or of the Hebrew Bible. They are excluded from the Protestant canon of Scripture, but the Catholic Church has always included them among the inspired writings; they existed in the Septuagint, which was used as its Bible by the early church. (Daniel, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)

Psalm 23 praises the Divine Shepherd.

* [Psalm 23] God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Ps 23:1–4) and a host’s generosity toward a guest (Ps 23:5–6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Is 40:11; 49:10; Jer 31:10). (Psalms, PSALM 23, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus encounters the Woman Caught in Adultery.

* [7:53–8:11] The story of the woman caught in adultery is a later insertion here, missing from all early Greek manuscripts. A Western text-type insertion, attested mainly in Old Latin translations, it is found in different places in different manuscripts: here, or after Jn 7:36 or at the end of this gospel, or after Lk 21:38, or at the end of that gospel. There are many non-Johannine features in the language, and there are also many doubtful readings within the passage. The style and motifs are similar to those of Luke, and it fits better with the general situation at the end of Lk 21: but it was probably inserted here because of the allusion to Jer 17:13 (cf. note on Jn 8:6) and the statement, “I do not judge anyone,” in Jn 8:15. The Catholic Church accepts this passage as canonical scripture. (John, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Tom Quinn comments that the thread of today’s readings leads us from harsh justice for those who put themselves above the law of God to comforting words for all of us sinful people who experience the peace of God in the face of adversity, and even death.

The crowd confronted Jesus. They asked him, "Should we stone this woman?” Jesus bent down and wrote in the dust as he paused. “Let the one among you who is without sin throw a stone at her.” No one came forth; none was sinless. They all slipped away, leaving the woman with Jesus. Jesus compassionately said to her, “go, and do not sin anymore.” Why would Jesus be so lenient? Jesus saw only a sinner accused by other sinners. His gentle but firm admonition to sin no more was his compassionate way of telling her to change her life. She had met Jesus, who wished not her death, but rather, that she be converted to a new way, and live. (Quinn, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Aided by Christ's grace,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"No one of us does anything good unless aided by Christ's grace. What we do badly comes from ourselves; what we do well, we do with the help of God. Therefore, let us give thanks to God who made it possible. And when we do well, let us not insult anyone who does not act in the same way. Let us not extol ourselves above such a person." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 93,15) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 8:1-11 comments that simply by bending down, Jesus bent the people’s accusations toward peace, their condemnation toward compassion, and their hatred toward mercy. He used that gesture to teach everyone there, and us as well: Don’t let emotions rule. Pause and ask the Spirit to be present. Take a couple of deep breaths and let the peace of God intervene.

This practice of bending down and seeking the Spirit is what Lent is about. This whole season, God is inviting us to pause and ask the Spirit to shift our focus. In the two weeks that remain before Easter, may we all practice bending our hearts toward the peace that only the Lord can give!

“Holy Spirit, make me an instrument of your peace.” (Meditation on John 8:1-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the unusual attention to a young man for wisdom in the case of the false accusations of the elders attempting to trap Susanna. The story of the Woman Caught in Adultery points to an author other than John as Friar Jude reminds us of the sin in John’s Gospel is not to accept Jesus. Jesus refocusses the attempt of the scribes and Pharisees to trap Him between the Law and life of the woman by drawing attention to the compassion and mercy of God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes the futility of trying to “fix” ourselves.

This is the genius of what Paul calls “the folly of the cross” (1 Corinthians 1:18), the folly of failure: that it doesn’t give us the satisfaction that our egos want. I don’t know if I am growing. I don’t know if I am “deepening my relationship with Jesus,” as Christians love to say. I hope I am, but any smug satisfaction in that is not going to do me or Jesus any good. But every day, knowing that I have not yet begun to love Jesus? That constant experience of littleness is the Franciscan way.  

It’s also the way of one of my other favorite saints, Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897). She called it her “Little Way.” She makes it very clear in small examples how it was failing to love every day that kept her on the path of love. She taught that remaining close to Jesus requires “bearing in peace the trial of not pleasing yourself.” [1] Who would have thought that? That is so counterintuitive! Yet what it reveals is that a lot of us Christians have sought—without knowing it—a certain self-satisfaction, a certain smugness. We think, “I’m a good Christian. I go to church on Sunday. I read the Bible. I love Jesus.” (Rohr, 2023)

We might breathe in the Spirit to control the impulse to rush to judgement and dampen the demands of ego in our relationships with others.

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/13?1 

John, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/8?1 

Meditation on John 8:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/27/639369/ 

Psalms, PSALM 23. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?1 

Quinn, T. (2023, March 27). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032723.html 

Rohr, R. (2023, March 27). We Learn by Doing It Wrong — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/we-learn-by-doing-it-wrong-2023-03-27/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Go, and Do Not Sin Again. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar27