April 4, 2022Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

2022년 4월 4일 사순 제5주간 월요일 

오늘의 복음 : http://info.catholic.or.kr/missa/default.asp 

<아무것도 하지 않았는데, 저는 이제 죽게 되었습니다.>

제1독서

다니엘 예언서. 13,1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62<또는 13,41ㄷ-62>
그 무렵 1 바빌론에 요야킴이라고 하는 사람이 살고 있었다.
2 그는 수산나라고 하는 힐키야의 딸을 아내로 맞아들였는데,
수산나는 매우 아름답기도 하거니와 주님을 경외하는 여인이었다.
3 수산나의 부모는 의로운 이들로서 그 딸을 모세의 율법에 따라 교육시켰다.
4 한편 요야킴은 아주 부유한 사람으로서 넓은 정원이 그의 집에 맞붙어 있었다.
그는 누구보다도 큰 존경을 받았기 때문에, 유다인들이 늘 그를 찾아오곤 하였다.
5 그런데 그해에 어떤 두 원로가 백성 가운데에서 재판관으로 임명되었다.
바로 그들을 두고 주님께서 이렇게 말씀하신 적이 있다.
“바빌론에서, 백성의 지도자로 여겨지는 재판관인 원로들에게서 죄악이 나왔다.”
6 그들이 줄곧 요야킴의 집에 있었으므로,
소송거리가 있는 이들은 모두 그리로 그들을 찾아갔다.
7 한낮에 사람들이 떠나고 나면, 수산나는 남편의 정원에 들어가 거닐곤 하였다.
8 그렇게 그곳에 들어가 거니는 수산나를 매일 눈여겨본 그 두 원로는
수산나에게 음욕을 품게 되었다.
9 그들은 양심을 억누르고 하늘을 보지 않으려고 눈을 돌린 채,
의로운 판결조차 생각하지 않았다.
15 그들이 알맞은 날을 엿보고 있을 때,
수산나가 여느 때와 마찬가지로 하녀 둘만 데리고 정원으로 들어갔다.
그리고 날이 무더웠으므로 그곳에서 목욕을 하려고 하였다.
16 거기에는 숨어서 수산나를 엿보는 그 두 원로 말고는 아무도 없었다.
17 수산나는 하녀들에게,
“내가 목욕을 하게 올리브 기름과 물분을 가져오고
정원 문들을 닫아걸어라.” 하고 말하였다.
19 하녀들이 나가자마자 두 원로는 일어나서 수산나에게 달려가 20 말하였다.
“자, 정원 문들은 잠겼고 우리를 보는 이는 아무도 없소.
우리는 당신을 간절히 원하오. 그러니 우리 뜻을 받아들여 우리와 함께 잡시다.
21 그러지 않으면, 어떤 젊은이가 당신과 함께 있었고,
바로 그 때문에 당신이 하녀들을 내보냈다고 증언하겠소.”
22 수산나는 탄식하며 말하였다.
“나는 꼼짝 못할 곤경에 빠졌소. 그렇게 하면 그것은 나에게 죽음이고,
그렇게 하지 않는다 하여도 당신들의 손아귀에서 빠져나갈 수가 없을 것이오.
23 주님 앞에 죄를 짓느니,
차라리 그렇게 하지 않고 당신들의 손아귀에 걸려드는 편이 더 낫소.”
24 그러고 나서 수산나는 크게 소리를 질렀다.
그 두 원로도 수산나를 향하여 소리를 지르더니,
25 그 가운데 하나가 달려가서 정원 문들을 열어젖혔다.
26 집에 있던 사람들이 정원에서 나는 고함 소리를 듣고,
옆문으로 뛰어들어 가 수산나에게 일어난 일을 보았다.
27 원로들이 저희 쪽의 이야기를 하자 하인들은 매우 수치스럽게 생각하였다.
수산나를 두고 누가 그와 같은 말을 한 적이 한 번도 없었기 때문이다.
28 다음 날, 수산나의 남편 요야킴의 집으로 백성이 모여들 때,
그 두 원로는 수산나를 죽이겠다는 악한 생각을 가득 품고서 그리로 갔다.
29 그들이 백성 앞에서 말하였다.
“사람을 보내어 요야킴의 아내, 힐키야의 딸 수산나를 데려오게 하시오.”
그러자 백성이 사람을 보냈다.
30 수산나는 부모와 자녀들과 모든 친척과 함께 나왔다.
33 그러자 수산나 곁에 있던 이들과 그를 보는 이들이 모두 울었다.
34 그 두 원로는 일어나 백성 한가운데에서 수산나의 머리에 자기들의 손을 얹었다.
35 수산나는 눈물이 가득한 채 하늘을 우러러보았다.
마음으로 주님을 신뢰하고 있었기 때문이다.
36 그 두 원로는 이렇게 말하였다. “우리가 단둘이서 정원을 거닐고 있을 때,
이 여자가 여종 둘을 데리고 정원으로 들어가더니,
정원 문들을 닫아걸고서는 여종들을 내보냈소.
37 그때에 숨어 있던 젊은이 하나가 이 여자에게 가더니 함께 누웠소.
38 정원 구석에 있던 우리는 그 죄악이 벌어지는 것을 보고서 그들에게 달려갔소.
39 그리고 둘이서 정을 통하는 것을 보기는 하였지만,
그자가 우리보다 힘이 세어 붙잡을 수는 없었소.
그래서 그자는 문을 열고 달아나 버렸소.
40 그 대신 이 여자를 붙들고 그 젊은이가 누구냐고 물었지만,
41 이 여자는 그것을 우리에게 알려 주려고 하지 않았소. 이것이 우리의 증언이오.”
그들이 백성의 원로이며 재판관이었기 때문에,
회중은 그들을 믿고 수산나에게 사형을 선고하였다.
42 그때에 수산나가 크게 소리 지르며 말하였다.
“아, 영원하신 하느님! 당신께서는 감추어진 것을 아시고
무슨 일이든 일어나기 전에 미리 다 아십니다.
43 또한 당신께서는 이자들이 저에 관하여 거짓된 증언을 하였음도 알고 계십니다.
이자들이 저를 해치려고 악의로 꾸며 낸 것들을 하나도 하지 않았는데,
저는 이제 죽게 되었습니다.”
44 주님께서 수산나의 목소리를 들으셨다.
45 그리하여 사람들이 수산나를 처형하려고 끌고 갈 때,
하느님께서는 다니엘이라고 하는
아주 젊은 사람 안에 있는 거룩한 영을 깨우셨다.
46 그러자 다니엘이
“나는 이 여인의 죽음에 책임이 없습니다.” 하고 큰 소리로 외쳤다.
47 온 백성이 그에게 돌아서서, “그대가 한 말은 무슨 소리요?” 하고 물었다.
48 다니엘은 그들 한가운데에 서서 말하였다.
“이스라엘 자손 여러분, 여러분은 어찌 그토록 어리석습니까?
신문을 해 보지도 않고 사실을 알아보지도 않고,
어찌 이스라엘의 딸에게 유죄 판결을 내릴 수가 있습니까?
49 법정으로 돌아가십시오. 이자들은 수산나에 관하여 거짓 증언을 하였습니다.”
50 온 백성은 서둘러 돌아갔다. 그러자 다른 원로들이 그에게 말하였다.
“자, 하느님께서 그대에게 원로 지위를 주셨으니
우리 가운데에 앉아서 설명해 보게.”
51 다니엘이 “저들을 서로 멀리 떼어 놓으십시오.
제가 신문을 하겠습니다.” 하고 말하였다.
52 사람들이 그들을 따로 떼어 놓자, 다니엘이 그들 가운데 한 사람을 불러 말하였다.
“악한 세월 속에 나이만 먹은 당신, 이제 지난날에 저지른 당신의 죄들이 드러났소.
53 주님께서 ‘죄 없는 이와 의로운 이를 죽여서는 안 된다.’고 말씀하셨는데도,
당신은 죄 없는 이들에게 유죄 판결을 내리고
죄 있는 자들을 놓아주어 불의한 재판을 하였소.
54 자, 당신이 참으로 이 여인을 보았다면,
그 둘이 어느 나무 아래에서 관계하는 것을 보았는지 말해 보시오.”
그자가 “유향나무 아래요.” 하고 대답하였다.
55 그러자 다니엘이 말하였다. “진정 당신은 자기 머리를 내놓고 거짓말을 하였소.
하느님의 천사가 이미 하느님에게서 판결을 받아 왔소.
그리고 이제 당신을 둘로 베어 버릴 것이오.”
56 다니엘은 그 사람을 물러가게 하고 나서
다른 사람을 데려오라고 분부하였다. 그리고 그자에게 말하였다.
“유다가 아니라 가나안의 후손인 당신,
아름다움이 당신을 호리고 음욕이 당신 마음을 비뚤어지게 하였소.
57 당신들은 이스라엘의 딸들을 그런 식으로 다루어 왔소.
그 여자들은 겁에 질려 당신들과 관계한 것이오.
그러나 이 유다의 딸은 당신들의 죄악을 허용하지 않았소.
58 자 그러면, 관계하는 그들을 어느 나무 아래에서 붙잡았는지
나에게 말해 보시오.” 그자가 “떡갈나무 아래요.” 하고 대답하였다.
59 그러자 다니엘이 말하였다. “진정 당신도 자기 머리를 내놓고 거짓말을 하였소.
하느님의 천사가 이미 당신을 둘로 잘라 버리려고 칼을 든 채 기다리고 있소.
그렇게 해서 당신들을 파멸시키려는 것이오.”
60 그러자 온 회중이 크게 소리를 지르며,
당신께 희망을 두는 이들을 구원하시는 하느님을 찬미하였다.
61 다니엘이 그 두 원로에게, 자기들이 거짓 증언을 하였다는 사실을
저희 입으로 입증하게 하였으므로, 온 회중은 그들에게 들고일어났다.
그리고 그들이 이웃을 해치려고 악의로 꾸며 낸 그 방식대로 그들을 처리하였다.
62 모세의 율법에 따라 그들을 사형에 처한 것이다.
이렇게 하여 그날에 무죄한 이가 피를 흘리지 않게 되었다. 

 

복음

<너희 가운데 죄 없는 자가 먼저 저 여자에게 돌을 던져라.>

요한 8,12-20

그때에 예수님께서 바리사이들에게 12 말씀하셨다.
“나는 세상의 빛이다.
나를 따르는 이는 어둠 속을 걷지 않고 생명의 빛을 얻을 것이다.”
13 바리사이들이 “당신이 자신에 관하여 증언하고 있으니,
당신의 증언은 유효하지 않소.” 하고 말하자,
14 예수님께서 그들에게 이르셨다.
“내가 나 자신에 관하여 증언하여도 나의 증언은 유효하다.
내가 어디에서 왔고 어디로 가는지 알기 때문이다.
그러나 너희는 내가 어디에서 왔는지, 또 내가 어디로 가는지 알지 못한다.
15 너희는 사람의 기준으로 심판하지만 나는 아무도 심판하지 않는다.
16 그리고 내가 심판을 하여도 내 심판은 유효하다.
나 혼자가 아니라,
나와 나를 보내신 아버지께서 함께 심판하시기 때문이다.
17 너희의 율법에도 두 사람의 증언은 유효하다고 기록되어 있다.
18 바로 내가 나 자신에 관하여 증언하고
또 나를 보내신 아버지께서도 나에 관하여 증언하신다.”
19 그들이 예수님께 “당신의 아버지가 어디 있소?” 하고 묻자,
예수님께서 대답하셨다.
“너희는 나를 알지 못할 뿐만 아니라 나의 아버지도 알지 못한다.
너희가 나를 알았더라면 나의 아버지도 알았을 것이다.”
20 이는 예수님께서 성전에서 가르치실 때에 헌금함 곁에서 하신 말씀이다.
그러나 아무도 그분을 잡지 않았다.
그분의 때가 아직 오지 않았기 때문이다.

April 4, 2022

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent 

Daily Readings — Audio

Daily Reflections — Video

http://www.usccb.org/bible/ 

Daily Mass : http://www.catholictv.com/shows/daily-mass 

Reading 1

Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-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.
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.

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.”
These men, to whom all brought their cases,
frequented the house of Joakim.
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.
They suppressed their consciences;
they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven,
and did not keep in mind just judgments.

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.”

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.”

“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.”
Then Susanna shrieked, and the old men also shouted at her,
as one of them ran to open the garden doors.
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.

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

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.

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.”

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.”

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 him
and 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 two
so 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 them
the penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor:
they put them to death.
Thus was innocent blood spared that day.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 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.
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.
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.
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.

Gospel

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

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

 

 The story of Susanna and the Elders is a good counterpoint to today’s gospel.  Susanna, who is innocent, is accused of adultery by two Jewish elders.  When she spurned their advances, they publicly accused her of sin. The two elders are judges for the Jewish court, which takes place each day in the house of Susanna’s husband.

Because she is a woman, she is not asked for her side of the story, and no one defends her.

The crowd seems to have already decided that she was guilty.  She is condemned to death by the assembly with no voice defending her.  In the very darkest place of her life, she calls on her “eternal God” begging for help knowing that her God knows the truth.

God answers her prayers in the form of Daniel a young man known to be virtuous and god-fearing. He had been watching the proceedings, stops them and entraps the elders in their lies.

Jesus, too, seems to be “on trial,” as always, by the Pharisees.  More arrogant religious leaders probe at Jesus and his odd teachings.  With Susanna, it takes the testimony of two men to convict her and the guilty elders step up to do that.  In defending himself, Jesus quotes their law back to the Pharisees: “Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men can be verified.”  He chooses himself and his father – God.  His audacity to speak of himself as the son of God continues the drum beat of tension between him and the religious leaders who want him silenced.

Both Jesus and Susanna would have known well Psalm 23, one the most beloved psalms ever written.  “Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side….”   The comforting words of walking in darkness underlines Jesus’ testimony that he is the light of the world. “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” 

“Loving God, we ask for the grace to remember that you walk next to us in our darkest times, when it may be difficult to see you.  Give us the wisdom to also seek you out when our lives are going well.  Your presence in our ordinary, busy days is a great gift, easily overlooked.  Help us be grateful, always for you in our lives.”

 http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

BOOK OF PSALMS?

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” ––Psalm 23:1

Many people reading this are Catholic. We tend to think of Bible passages in terms of a Sunday Mass. We focus on the first reading, which is generally from the Old Testament. Next, we think about the second reading. It’s often an exhortation from St. Paul. The Liturgy of the Word reaches its high point with the Gospel proclamation (see Mk 13:10). But there’s an important collection of verses tucked between the first and second readings. Do we give equal attention to the Psalm? It can be overlooked.

Catholic monks take a different approach. The Psalms form the heart of their communal prayer life. Many monasteries pray and sing all 150 Psalms each week. This practice has remained consistent for centuries. Why? Even though many passages are attributed to King David or his scribes, monks recognize Jesus as the inspiration and subject of the Psalms. In fact, David calls Jesus his Lord: “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand till I make Your enemies Your footstool’ ” (Ps 110:1; see Mt 22:41-45; cf Rv 22:16). Examine the Psalms and you’ll find suffering (Ps 31:10-14), glory (Ps 24:7-10), distress (Ps 102:3, 5) and joy (Ps 33:1, 3). You’ll see Jesus through and through.

Today’s Psalm may be the most familiar. Countless souls have found comfort in the 23rd Psalm’s inspired verses. How will it encourage you? Study, pray, sing, and live the Psalms.

Prayer:  Father, challenge and console me as I study the Book of Psalms.

Promise:  “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.” ––Ps 23:4

Praise:  St. Isidore craved knowledge. He authored an encyclopedia that was used as a textbook for nine centuries! Pope St. John Paul II declared him patron of the internet in 1997.

 http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/

 

 When accusations are brought against you, how do you respond and where do you turn for help? The Book of Daniel tells the story of Susanna, a godly woman who loved God and his word. She was unjustly accused of adultery by two elder judges who had tried to seduce her. Since adultery was a serious offense punishable by stoning to death, the law of Moses required at least two witnesses, rather than one, to convict a person. Susanna knew she had no hope of clearing her good reputation and escaping death apart from God's merciful intervention. Daniel tells us that she looked up to heaven and cried out to the Lord for his help (Daniel 13:35). The two elders who wanted to sin with her had done just the opposite - they hid themselves from God's sight and they kept their secret sin hidden from the people as well. They brought false charges against her in revenge for her refusal to sin with them. God in his mercy heard the plea of Susanna and he punished the two elders for giving false witness.

Unjust accusations against Jesus
The Gospel accounts describe how Jesus had to face unjust accusations made by the Pharisees, the ruling elders of Israel. They were upset with Jesus' teaching and his healing on the Sabbath. They plotted what charges they might bring against him in order to arrest him and bring him to trial. They wanted to not only silence him, but put him to death for his claim to be the Messiah. They accused him of blasphemy because he claimed to have authority equal with God.

In chapter 8 of John's Gospel, we hear the account where Jesus publicly proclaims in the Temple at Jerusalem that he is the "light of the world" (John 8:12). Jesus spoke these words around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Festival of Lights. This statement must have made a striking impression on the Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem for the occasion. For eight nights the great candelabras which stood in the Temple courtyard lit the Jerusalem skyline with a blaze of dazzling [extremely bright] light. Jesus' statement very likely came at the end of the Festival when the great lights where extinguished. In so many words, Jesus says he is the one true light which no one can extinguish or diminish (see John 1:4-5).He is the true light not only for God's chosen people Israel, but for all peoples and nations as well.

Many of the scribes and Pharisees reacted with shock and disbelief when they heard Jesus describe himself as light of the world and light of life (John 8:12). In the Gospel of John we hear seven "I am" statements from the lips of Jesus: "I am the Bread of Life" (John 6:35), "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12), "I am the Gate" (John 10:9), "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11), "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25), "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6), and "I am the Vine" (John 15:5). Jesus also emphatically stated, "Truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). When Moses asked God to reveal his name. God responded by saying, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:13-14). When the Pharisees heard Jesus says "I am the light", they clearly understood that Jesus was making a claim which only God could make. The word light in Scripture was especially associated with God. The Lord is my light (Psalm 27:1). The Lord will be your everlasting light (Isaiah 60:19). When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me (Micah 7:8).

The scribes and Pharisees demanded that Jesus produce signs and witnesses to prove his claim. But the testimony and signs which Jesus gave did not satisfy the religious rulers because they had already determined in their own minds that he needed to be eliminated since his teaching did not agree with their own view and interpretation of the law of Moses (John 5:39-46). Their judgment was based on wrong assumptions and an evil intention to put Jesus to death. Jesus stated that his authority was not based on human knowledge and perception but on the knowledge and revelation which came from God. Jesus' rightfully claimed that his authority came from his heavenly Father (John 5:19,21,26-27,36; John 8:28). No one could do the mighty works which he did and speak with such authority unless it had been given to him by the Father.

The light Jesus came to give us
What did Jesus mean by the expression I am the light of the world and light of life (John 8:12)? The light Jesus came to give is the light of God's revelation - his beauty, truth, wisdom, and power. God's light exposes the darkness of sin which is often hidden and sometimes even unknown to us. His light brings healing, pardon, and restoration as well - freeing us from the burden of guilt and the scars of sin's effect on us - physically, spiritually,intellectually,and emotionally. We need God's penetrating light to shine into our innermost being so he can remove wrong patterns of thoughts, attitudes, and hurtful desires.

Sin and every form of wrong-doing cloud our vision of what is good and right and lead us down the wrong path away from God's truth and righteousness (moral goodness). God's light shows us the way that leads to peace, joy, happiness and fulfillment. The light which the Lord Jesus offers produces in us abundant life and great fruitfulness. Just as natural life depends on light for energy, warmth, and growth (without it nothing could live or grow), so the light of God's kingdom power produce in us new life in the Holy Spirit and the abundant fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). The light which the Lord Jesus gives enables us to walk freely and confidently without stumbling in the darkness of sin, ignorance, and unbelief. His light warms our heart to the truth of God's love and it opens our eyes to recognize the reality of God's kingdom at work within us. Do you walk confidently in the light of God's truth and love?

O gracious and Holy Father, give us wisdom to perceive you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Saint Benedict of Nursia, 480-547 AD)

Psalm 23:1-6

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;
2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Walking in the Light of Life, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

[That unfailing Light] has taken you from the eyes of the flesh and brought you back again to the eyes of the heart! He does not think it enough to say... "shall have light" but adds "of life," even as in the psalm it was said, "[In your light shall we see light]; for with you is the fountain of life" (Psalm 36:9). See how the words of our Lord agree with the truth of that psalm where light is placed with the fountain of life and now here he speaks of the "light of life." For bodily uses, light is one thing and a well another. Our mouths seek a fountain; our eyes seek the light. When we thirst, we seek a fountain; when we are in darkness we seek light. And if we happen to get thirsty in the night, we kindle a light to come to a fountain. With God the light and the well are the same. The one who shines on you so that you may see him is the same one who flows to you so that you may drink him.
You see then what kind of light this is if you see inwardly the light of which he says, "He that follows me shall not walk in darkness." Follow the sun, and let us see if you will not walk in darkness. When the sun rises, it comes toward you and heads on to the west. But perhaps your journey is toward the east. So if you follow the sun, then you will certainly err and instead of going east you will go west, whether by land... or by sea. Finally, you decide that you should follow the sun, and you travel to the west, where it also travels. Let us see if, after it sets, you will not still walk in darkness. See how, though you are unwilling to desert it, yet it will desert you in order to finish out its service for the day. But our Lord Jesus Christ, even when he was not made known to all through the cloud of his flesh, still held all things by the power of his wisdom. Your God is everywhere entirely. If you do not fall away from him, he will never fall away from you. [excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 34.5-6.18]

  

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March 22, 2021 Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent