March 23, 2015

Justice and Mercy

Susana a God-fearing woman was subjected to a farce court procedure and unjust sentence. Jesus too experienced the same thing. Judges make decisions based on what they see. In practice not all injuries are redressed nor are rights and justice observed. Because we judge by human standards as what Christ said in the gospel. We are easily influenced by partiality. But God judges the hearts of man. Christ warns us many times about the sin of judgment. This is not only for judicial and legal proceedings. This judgment takes place every day in us in our hearts. We act and judge over the weaknesses and limitations of others. Yet we are incapable of noticing the plank in our own eyes and we want to remove the splinter in our brother’s eye.

Christ speaks about mercy over judgment, forgiveness in place of revenge. He was the first one to show this. He being the innocent one submitted himself to our injustice. Death on the cross was our sentence in front of the goodness he has shown to us. He did not judge but instead he forgave. He excused us “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” We have to be careful with our judgments because “the judgments that we give are the same judgments that we will receive.”

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 2

<< Monday, March 23, 2015 >>

St. Toribio de Mogrovejo

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62
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Psalm 23:1-6

John 8:1-11
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THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CULTURE OF DEATH

"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." —Daniel 13:44-46

Susanna was "a very beautiful and God-fearing woman" (Dn 13:2). "Her pious parents had trained their daughter according to the law of Moses" (Dn 13:3). Susanna was happily married to Joakim, a very rich man who was the most respected of all the Jews in Babylon (Dn 13:4). Susanna was blessed with children in her marriage (Dn 13:30). Susanna was a very holy, beautiful woman, a beloved daughter, faithful wife, and devoted mother.

Then two wicked judges tried to force her to commit adultery with them by threatening to falsely accuse her of adultery and condemn her to death, if she did not give in to them. Susanna, however, chose to remain pure, faithful, and holy, even though she would lose her life, good reputation, marriage, and family (Dn 13:23). This was not the first evil act these judges had committed. They had subverted justice by "passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent, and freeing the guilty" (Dn 13:53). They had also sexually abused several other women (Dn 13:57).

The Lord saved Susanna's life and reputation. He saved Susanna's husband, parents, and children from being disgraced and traumatized. He stopped the judges' subversion of justice and sexual abuse, which had gone on for years. The Lord transformed a perverted society by stirring up "the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel" (Dn 13:45).

We also need the Holy Spirit to be stirred up in us (see 2 Tm 1:6-7) and transform our culture of death into a civilization of life and love. Come, Holy Spirit this Lent, Easter, and Pentecost!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, cry out in my heart "Abba" ("Father") (Gal 4:6).

Promise: "Nor do I condemn you. You may go. But from now on, avoid this sin." —Jn 8:11

Praise: St. Toribio baptized and confirmed nearly a million people as bishop of Peru.