JESUS CHRIST THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

MONDAY FIFTH WEEK OF LENT YEAR C

'I AM INNOCENT  OF THIS WOMAN'S DEATH !' Readings

First Reading Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62  Susannah and the elders 

In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim. He had married Susanna daughter of Hilkiah, a woman of great beauty; and she was God-fearing, because her parents were worthy people and had instructed their daughter in the Law of Moses. Joakim was a very rich man, and had a garden attached to his house; the Jews would often visit him since he was held in greater respect than any other man. Two elderly men had been selected from the people that year to act as judges. Of such the Lord said, ‘Wickedness has come to Babylon through the elders and judges posing as guides to the people.’ These men were often at Joakim’s house, and all who were engaged in litigation used to come to them. At midday, when everyone had gone, Susanna used to take a walk in her husband’s garden. The two elders, who used to watch her every day as she came in to take her walk, gradually began to desire her. They threw reason aside, making no effort to turn their eyes to heaven, and forgetting its demands of virtue. So they waited for a favourable moment; and one day Susanna came as usual, accompanied only by two young maidservants. The day was hot and she wanted to bathe in the garden. There was no one about except the two elders, spying on her from their hiding place. She said to the servants, ‘Bring me some oil and balsam and shut the garden door while I bathe.’........... Lectures

Responsorial Psalm: If I should walk in the valley of darkness, no evil would I fear

Gospel Reading John 8:12-20 'I am the light of the world'

Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark; he will have the light of life.’ At this the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’

Jesus replied: ‘It is true that I am testifying on my own behalf, but my testimony is still valid, 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 human standards; I judge no one, but if I judge, my judgement will be sound, because I am not alone: the one who sent me is with me; and in your Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I may be testifying on my own behalf, but the Father who sent me is my witness too.’

They asked him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered: ‘You do not know me, nor do you know my Father; if you did know me, you would know my Father as well.’ He spoke these words in the Treasury, while teaching in the Temple. No one arrested him, because his time had not yet come. Reflections

My God, my Father till date many people are killed because of false testimonies. They are accused for doing the right thing. They are accused for being a challenge to those who cannot measure of to their ways of lives. They are accused because of jealousy. They are accused because they are unique. They are accused because they are children of light to those who are evil. May God grant eternal rest to all innocent souls sentenced to death:  false accusation, and false judgements. 

Father deliver us from the evil ones. They may accuse us, you God our Father you will acquint us. You will deliver us from their hands. You are righteous, you will redeem us. Chirst be our Light. Come shine in our world, dispel the darkness and evil in our world. Lord Jesus Christ come to our aid.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for us. St. Joseph pray for us. God's Guardian Angels pray for us. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Guide and guard me. Be my protection

Pray the Holy Rosary: Mother of Jesus Christ, Blessed Virgin Mary pray for us.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Isidore, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. May he pray for you as you celebrate your birthday.