Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
The liturgy today opens with the profound prayer of one who implores God for help: “Have mercy on me, O God, for people assail me; they fight me all day long and oppress me” (Cf. Ps 55: 2). It could be a prayer that is on the lips of Susanna who is falsely charged with sin or of Jesus who is heckled by the Pharisees. In the first reading, we hear the beautiful story of Susanna who is wrongly accused of adultery by the two wicked elders. It is a narrative of God’s relentless longing for justice and His unceasing care for those who hope in Him. Susanna’s prayer is one of complete faith in God: “O eternal God, you know what is hidden…you know that they have testified falsely against me” (Dn 13:42-43). The responsorial psalm echoes Susanna’s prayer of trust: “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).
In the Gospel from John 8:12-20 (Year C), Jesus faces the cunning interrogation of the Pharisees concerning his origins and the basis of his authority. Jesus speaks with the same composure and trust as Susanna: “…my testimony can be verified, because I know where I came from and where I am going…If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (Jn 8:14,19). As we sing today’s communion antiphon (taken directly from this Gospel), we affirm our belief in the one in whom we place our trust: “I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn 8:12).” It is a deep-seated message of hope to our troubled world for all who face ill-treatment, injustice, and false accusation.
Prayer for Today: O eternal God, in you we place our complete trust, knowing that you will not allow evil to triumph and that you will ever be at our side in the darkest of days.
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources