In the first reading today we have the story of the deliverance of Susanna who was falsely accused and condemned to death. She was saved by the intervention of a young boy named Daniel who – filled with the Spirit of God – spoke truth to the people of Israel concerning Susanna.
This is reminiscent of one who was falsely condemned to die on a cross and was saved not from death, but delivered from the state of being dead by the same Spirit, not by a young boy but by the God his Father and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus represents all who are falsely accused and who are truly innocent; and he also represents all those who are rightly accused and truly guilty of sin – like the woman in the gospel passage.
Jesus is the vindication of the innocent, as well as the means of transformation and life for the guilty!
He tells the woman to go and sin no more. He tells us to do the same.
He knows who among us are less sinful and more sinful – for we are all sinful to some extent. But he promises that for those who turn to him and ask for his mercy and forgiveness it will be given! He and his Father do not wish to see the death of the sinner, but that he turn to God and be saved – by the instrumentality of a humble and contrite heart connected to the forgiveness and grace that flow from the pierced side of Christ Crucified.
Even when we walk in dark valleys – even when we are falsely or rightly accused – we need fear no evil – for as long as we have breath and life – God is at our side to deliver us and refresh us!
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