Daily Lenten Reflections

Monday, April 8, 2019

Monday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

In the first reading from Daniel, Susanna, the beautiful and pious wife of Joakim, is falsely accused of adultery. Her accusers are judges that should be trusted members of the community but Susanna’s rejection of their advances results in their false accusations. Susanna turns to God in her moment of need. Her faith in God’s perfect justice is not disappointed. Through the intervention of a young boy, her accusers testify and in their contradicting stories condemn themselves. As a Lenten reflection, this story brings to mind our witness to the false accusations against Jesus. We also witness the faith of Jesus in the justice and the love of God our father. We are also invited to witness the deeper, eternal nature of God’s love and justice.

The Responsorial Psalm, “Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil, for you are at my side” is strength for all the faithful in times of trial. How wonderful that Jesus had this to carry Him through all, to His resurrection. We also can understand our loving father providing for us, not with false promises of escaping all trials, but with the abiding accompaniment of His love through whatever comes.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus asks us to recognize Him as the light of the world. Jesus asks us to follow Him to the light of life; that we follow Him to God’s promise of heaven. The Pharisees ask for proof of what Jesus offers and declares. Jesus counters that they are judging by appearances and that He judges no one. His truthfulness is verified because He is not alone but always with the one who has sent Him. Since the Pharisees do not understand the father or who God is, they cannot accept Jesus’ word as true. Jesus is making clear that the Pharisees who are supposed to be leading the people of God home, are not able to because they do not know God in their own hearts. Jesus escapes their wrath to continue on the path of God’s will. All of this Lenten journey is for us to witness as Ezekiel’s insight says, that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather in His conversion, that He may live in the light of life.

Prayer

Thank You, Jesus, and bring us all to the light of life according to the will of God who lives in unity with You and the Holy Spirit forever.

Stephanie Noakes, ’80, M’09, P’05

Scripture

First Reading: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62

Psalm 23:1-6

Gospel: John 8:12-20

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

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Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry

The Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry at Saint Michael’s College is to share the Good News of the Gospel with the College community by facilitating encounter with Jesus Christ. We do this through the celebration of the Church’s Liturgy, in programs promoting knowledge of the Catholic faith, by developing ecumenical and interreligious relationships, and providing retreats and other opportunities for personal spiritual growth.

The Catholic and Edmundite tradition upon which the College was founded is grounded in the conviction that all women and men are created in the image and likeness of God providing a special dignity unique to each person. Such dignity requires human life to be respected in all of its stages recognizing that we are all children of God.

Therefore, in its pursuit of furthering the Reign of God, the Edmundite Campus Ministry staff seeks to interact with and support every member of the College community in their search for Truth, contributing to the “enhancement of the human person and to the advancement of human culture in light of the Catholic faith.”