DAILY- HOMILY

April 3, 2017 – MONDAY, 5th Week of Lent

Violet

Dn 13: 1 - 9, 15- 17, 19- 30, 33- 62 / Jn 8: 1 - 11

FROM THE 1ST READING:     Dn 13: 60- 62

     The whole assembly shouted and blessed God for helping those who hope in him. They turned against the two elders who, through Daniel's efforts, had been convicted by their own mouths. In accordance with Moses' law, the penalty the two elders had intended to impose upon their neighbor was inflicted upon them. They were sentenced to death. Thus was the life of an innocent woman spared that day.

FROM THE GOSPEL READING:     Jn 8: 3- 11

     Then the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They made her stand in front of everyone. "Master," they said, "this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now the Law of Moses orders that such women be stoned to death; but you, what would you say?" They said this to test Jesus, in order to have some charge against him.

     Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. And as they continued to ask him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let anyone among you who has no sin be the first to throw a stone at her." And he bent down again, writing on the ground.

     As a result of these words, they went away, one by one, starting with the elders, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.

     Then Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go away and don't sin again."

REFLECTION

     Both readings today speak of lust and adultery, God's mercy and the protection of the innocent.

     In the first reading two elders of the people lusted after Susanna and, failing, sought to condemn her to death through false testimony. The youth Daniel intervenes and exposes the false testimonies: "thus was the life of an innocent woman spared that day."

     In the Gospel reading, in efforts to trap Jesus, the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees bring a woman caught in the act of adultery before Jesus: what would Jesus say or do, considering that the Law of Moses prescribed death by stoning for adultery. Jesus quietly says, "Let anyone among you who has no sin be the first to throw a stone at her." When none of the accusers dared to condemn her, with everyone leaving starting from the elders, neither did the merciful Jesus, "Neither do I condemn you; go away and don't sin again."

     In the first reading through the young man Daniel God protected the innocent and falsely accused Susanna. In the Gospel reading Jesus showed us God's forgiving mercy, "I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." (Mt 9: 13)

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     CATHERINE CHENG

PRAYER INTENTION 

     CHRISTOPHER KARL W. CUYEGKENG

IN MEMORIAM (†) 

     BENIGNO DE QUIROZ (BIRTH ANNIVERSARY)

     LORENZO Y. CO (FEB.l6, 1916-APR3, 1996)

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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