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God has the right, and my permission, to rearrange my life to achieve His purposes.
- Anonymous
(It takes lots of
faith and trust to pray this prayer sincerely. Can you do it?) |
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DN 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; PS
23:1-6
JN 8:1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area,
and all
the people started coming to him,
and he sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman
who had been caught in adultery
and made her stand in the middle.
They said to him,
"Teacher, this woman was caught
in the very act of committing adultery.
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.
So what do you say?"
They said this to test him,
so that they could have some charge to bring against
him.
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him,
he straightened up and said to them,
"Let the one among you who is without sin
be the first to throw a stone at her."
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one,
beginning with the elders.
So he was left alone with the woman before him.
Then Jesus straightened up and said to her,
"Woman, where are
they?
Has no one condemned you?"
She replied, "No one, sir."
Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you.
Go, and from now on do not sin any more." USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture |
"She decided to bathe." —Daniel
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 of Baptism 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." —Ps 23:1-3
Presentation Ministries
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Theological Gems from Emile Merch's Theology of the Mystical Body - selected by Jim and Tyra Arraj
Book III: Christ
Chapter 14: The Holy Spirit
416. The explanation of the Spirit's work has to be found within the totality of Christ.
417. The Incarnation is attributed particularly to the Holy Spirit.
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