Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
The story of the youthful Susanna in the Old Testament tells of two old men who lusted after her. They tried to have their way with her, but she screamed out and was saved. Now, these men had been caught and needed to come up with a lie to save themselves. So, they said that Susanna screamed because they caught her lying with a younger man who had escaped.
Daniel called the two men in to give their testimony separately because this was serious business. The penalty, should Suzanna be found guilty, was execution. Daniel, using his great wisdom, asked man each a question: “Tell me under which tree you saw them together.” The first man said, “Under a mastic tree.” The second man said, “Under an oak tree.” By their divergent testimony, they were exposed as dangerous criminals and executed. Suzanna was saved by the wisdom of Daniel.
Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees who said that he is only testifying on his own behalf. There is no one to back him up. But Jesus makes it clear that there is someone who can back him up. The one who sent him. His Father.
When we listen to Jesus, we are also listening to his Father. What more testimony do we need that every word that comes from the mouth of Jesus and is written in our Scripture is true. Unlike the testimony of the two old men in the Old Testament, whose testimony led to their death, the testimony of Jesus gives life. This truth is validated by our experience of Jesus, who lives among us.