These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
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.” (Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040725.cfm
In the story of Susanna God saves the innocent. In the gospel story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus saves the guilty. The good news of Lent is that all are saved! Today's photo is a stained glass window of the Trial of Susanna.
Jesus 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.” (Jn 8:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040625-YearC.cfm
The richest man in the world has said that the fundamental weakness of civilization is empathy (compassion). They once asked Jesus his opinion of empathy, and Jesus answered: “Let the one without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Do we follow the values of the richest man in the world, or do we follow Jesus, the Compassionate?
Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But others said, "The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David's family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. (Jn 7:40-53)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040525.cfm
Jesus has always caused division: Feed the hungry, Welcome the stranger, Care for the sick, the imprisoned and the least among us , Love your enemies. Do we follow him or the values of the world?
For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him." These were their thoughts, but they erred; for they knew not the hidden counsels of God. (Wis 2:1a, 12-22)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040425.cfm
With the Scandal of the Cross, the early church searched the Scriptures seeking to understand the Cross and Resurrection. Today’s passage points us to the “hidden counsels of God.” We adore you O Christ, and we bless you, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have redeemed the world.
The LORD said to Moses, "I see how stiff-necked this people is. Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation." But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, "Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people? (Ex 32:7-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040325.cfm
As Moses reminds God of the wondrous deeds God has worked for this “stiff-necked” people, we too are reminded and are called to give thanks.
