Homily: 5th Week of Lent - Monday - Light expels the darkness

Today we have one of the longest First Readings in the entire lectionary—nearly 60 verses—almost the entire 13^th Chapter of the book of the Prophet Daniel.  It is the story of this beautiful, faithful woman, Susanna, who is falsely accused by two corrupt evil old men who wanted to have their way with her.  Though they were powerful men and elders in the community, Susanna remained chaste.  In order to protect themselves, they falsely accused her and condemned her to death.

Though all seemed lost. Surrounded by the powers of evil and darkness, Susanna surrendered to God, knowing herself to be innocent.

God stirred Daniel’s spirit, who demanded a thorough examination of the evidence.  Daniel made himself vulnerable to the hostility of these powerful men, calling the judges and elders fools.  He made himself vulnerable in order to bring justice to the innocent.

The story of Susanna, at this point in Lent, should remind us of another false accusation. 

The Lord Jesus, the sinless Lamb, allowed himself to be falsely accused and convicted by evil men.

Because who of us are as innocent as Susanna or as courageous as Daniel, willing to suffer to protect the innocent.  Most likely, we are more like the corrupt judges, or the Pharisees pointing their fingers at the Lord.  But the Lord lays down his life willingly, out of his great love for us, and his desire that we be with him in eternity.

During these final weeks of Lent, we do well to enter into some serious prayer, asking the Lord to shine his light of truth into the deepest, darkest, most unloving parts of our hearts.  That our selfishness and fears may be illuminated and that in the moment of trial we may remain faithful.

 

Christ is the light.  To quote the final words of Pope Benedict’s first encyclical

Faith, which sees the love of God revealed in the pierced heart of Jesus on the Cross, gives rise to love. Love is the light—and in the end, the only light—that can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working. Love is possible, and we are able to practice it because we are created in the image of God. To experience love and in this way to cause the light of God to enter into the world.

This Lent may the light of Christ expel all darkness in our hearts for the glory of God and salvation of souls.