What a long reading we had today from the book of Daniel. But what a story it was! It just goes to show that we can never feel secure in our faith, no matter how old we are or what position we hold in life. Everyone is capable of falling into mortal sin and no one is excluded from this, so we should be on guard that this does not happen to us either. It would be a shame to be a faithful, God fearing person your whole life and then lose your salvation so near to the finish line. The two elders who were judges did just that.
The scripture says that “They began to lust for her. They suppressed their consciences and would not allow their eyes to look to heaven.” Now what does this sound like in our modern day and age? There seems to be an epidemic in pornography addiction among many Catholics who were once quite strong in their faith. They say just seeing one image can be very difficult to get out of your mind for a long time after viewing it. If that image lingers in your mind it can become a lot easier the second time around, to be tempted to view pornography. Men relate to visual things more than women, but pornography addiction has also become a problem for women too, in the past few years. Mortal sin occurs when people suppress their conscience and avoid the sacraments and prayer. The sacraments and prayer are the main weapons we have in spiritual warfare, in overcoming temptations like this, though.
It’s pretty awesome how the Holy Spirit destroyed these two elder’s testimony against Susanna after she prayed. A young boy named Daniel recognized the Holy Spirit’s guidance, listened and then acted on it. We would do well to remember his example, to not only trust the promptings of the Holy Spirit but to act on it. Susanna’s prayer and Daniel’s acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit’s guidance is what saved her life.
Psalm 23 is also comforting today, in light of Susanna’s predicament. She prayed and the Holy Spirit entered into the evil that surrounded her and worked through Daniel when she was being led to her execution. Even in the face of her death she prayed and trusted the Lord. One day we too will face death, but we do not need to be afraid, just continue to trust in the Lord as we have done all our lives. Jesus will be with us if we die in his friendship.
In today’s gospel Jesus says “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” These are living words. They are filled with the Holy Spirit and come alive in the heart, not the mind. Our hearts recognize the truth in these words.
Both readings from the book of Daniel and the gospel talk about testimony to the truth. In both readings the people judged by outward appearances, but appearances can be deceiving. Things are not always what they seem to be and we should be careful how we judge others too. Like Daniel, justice demands that we do have to judge others sometimes, but we should pray and let the Holy Spirit guide us in our decisions.
Jesus says “I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me.” When the Pharisees asked him “Where is your father?” The Lord answered “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
How do we know the Father? Basically, love. Love testifies to the truth.
The readings for mass today explain the holy Trinity. The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father and the love they have for one another is the Holy Spirit, which out of love they share with us. The Holy Spirit testifies to the truth. Those who remain in God’s grace understand the Holy Spirit with the heart, not the mind. God is love. And He is only known through the human heart that is open to His grace. The Pharisees and the elders from the book of Daniel suppressed their hearts and were not open to God’s grace. They had no room for Him in their hearts and did not know Him.
But, we do.
We do not walk in darkness but have the light of life that lights the path ahead as we follow Jesus, today and every day until He leads us home.
