March 18, 2013

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Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent 
Lectionary: 251

Reading 1DN 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62

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.

Exiled to Babylon, the Jews continued to follow the Law of Moses.  One of these was Joakim and his wife, the beautiful and faithful, Susanna.   

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.

Joakim was a wealthy man, whose house was beautiful and grand, with a garden surrounding it.  The Jews went there to see him very often. 

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.”

That year, two elders were appointed as judges.  Speaking of these men, God had said, "Evil comes out of Babylon." 

These men, to whom all brought their cases,
frequented the house of Joakim.

These two frequently went to Joakim's house to hold court.

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.

When the people left at noon, Susanna would go into the garden for a walk.  The elders began to notice her and 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.

They set their consciences aside and would not think about God and set themselves on an evil purpose. 

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.”

One day, they hid in the garden to wait for her. It was a warm day and everyone was gone, so she thought.  So, instead of going for a walk, she decided to bathe. So she instructed her chambermaids to lock the door and get her bath ready.

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.”

When the young girls left, the two elders approached Susanna and tried to black mail her into lying with them.  Threatening to make up lies of adultery against her.

“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.”

The righteous Susanna, however, replied, "I'm trapped, that is true.  But better for me to be punished and die for doing right rather than live and sin before God."

Then Susanna shrieked, and the old men also shouted at her,

as one of them ran to open the garden doors.

Then Susanna screamed.  In the Law of Moses, a woman must scream in order to prove that she is being raped.  Otherwise, she is deemed to having consented to the action.  

Deut 22:24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.  25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die.  26 But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:  27 For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.

When Susanna screamed, the old men began to shout at her and accuse her of adultery with some man.

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.

All heard the old men's accusations and were ashamed for Susanna's sake.

When the people came to her husband Joakim the next day,
the two wicked elders also came,
fully determined to put Susanna to death.

The two elders carried the charade to the hilt, the next day they brought the people to Joakim's house prepared to put Susanna to death for their trumped up charge.

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.

Before all the people, the set up court and called for Susanna.  All of Susanna's family and friends were crying.

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.

Then, when Susanna arrived, the two old men told the people their lie.  That they had seen Susanna engaged in adulterous behaviour with a young man who had escaped unseen.  The people believed them because they were judges of the realm.  And they condemned Susanna 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.”

But Susanna cried out to God in prayer saying, "My Lord, you know that I am innocent of these charges.  But here I am about to die because of these wicked men."

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.”

God heard her prayer and excited the holy spirit of a young boy, Daniel, to speak, "I have no part in this unlawful death!  You are all fools to be so easily fooled.  How can you condemn someone without examining the testimonies and without any evidence?  Return to court for the old men have lied."

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.”

Then the people, astonished at the sudden wisdom of a young boy, obeyed and returned to court.  And the rest of the elders amongst them said, "Come, show us what God has revealed to you."  And he replied, "Set those two apart from each other so that they can't talk to each other.  I will prove that they are lying."

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.”

Daniel called the first and asked, "You have grown evil in your old age. And many unjust sentences have you past.  But you will not put this innocent woman to death.  Now, if you saw something happen, where did it take place, under which tree?"

“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.”

The old man said, "We saw her under a mastic tree."  And Daniel replied, "Your lie has cost you your life."

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.”

Then, Daniel went to the second and asked, the same question, "Son of Canaan, not of Judah, your lust has made you crazy.  You have forced yourself upon the women of Israel for the last time.  Now, where do you claim you caught the two together, under what tree?"  And he responded, "Under an oak tree." 

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.

Then the whole assembly put the elders on trial for their lies and for attempting to kill Susanna.  And according to the Law of Moses, they were put to death.  Thus, God, through his servant Daniel, saved the blood of the righteous on that day.

The alternate reading is merely a portion of the primary, so I'll post without comment.

OrDN 13:41C-62

The assembly condemned Susanna to death.
But Susanna cried aloud:“O eternal God, you know what is hiddenand 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 thingswith 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 examinationand 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 himand 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 twoso 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 themthe penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor:they put them to death.Thus was innocent blood spared that day.

Responsorial PsalmPS 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.

God is my shepherd, He will provide all my needs.  He will guide me to a place of rest and satisfy my thirst.  God restores my spirit.

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.

God teaches me the way of righteousness because of His name.  Though I walk in darkness, He is my light.  I fear no wicked thing, for God is with me.  God gives me courage to face my fears.

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.

God provides me with all good things in the sight of those who hate me.  God, you give me all good blessings, more than I can bear.

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.

Therefore, I will do good and be kind where ever I go, because God is so good to me.  And I will live with God through all eternity. 

GospelJN 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.”

Jesus said to his disciples, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever obeys my words will always do the will of God."

So the Pharisees said to him,“You testify on your own behalf,so your testimony cannot be verified.”

The Pharisees said, "How can we know your words are true."

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.”

Jesus replied, "The law of Moses says that everything can be verified by the testimony of two men.  I and my Father testify on my behalf."

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.”

To this, Jesus replied, "You don't know my Father, therefore, you don't know me, either."

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.

Jesus said these things in the treasury area of the Temple of Jerusalem.  Everyone left Him alone, for it was not yet time for Him to suffer His Passion.

This was a sort of confusing Gospel.  Jesus didn't seem to give them any proof of His Divinity.  But, I think what Jesus meant He said more directly in another verse:

John 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

The Prophets have been preparing the Jews for the coming of the Messiah for centuries.  But, since they don't really know God, they don't recognize His Son when He is standing in front of them.  In another place, Jesus says:


Luke 19:42-44
King James Version (KJV)
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.  43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.