Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Homily Deacon Tony Wallace

Notes Used

Suzanna falsely accused for them,

Ps23, Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. funeral, deceased with family, chaplain said this as he died.

testimony of 2 men needed for accusation

Today was also the optional memorial for St. John de La Salle, Priest, patron st of school teachers. [1]

Susanna falsely accused, trusts in God [2]

Gospel, two men needed for accusation [3]

Takes two people to accuse [3}

We will be judged by our actions, our actions are important, follow God’s will not man’s. [4]

Ps23, We will be or need to be less judgmental, we are not the judge [5}

Written Homily from Notes Used

As father mentioned, today is the optional memorial for st. John the Baptist de La Salle, Priest. He is the patron st of schoolteachers, which all of us benefit from.

In today’s readings, Susanna is falsely accused by others who do not want to get in trouble themselves. She trusts in God and turns all to Him. God takes care of her. It is not for us to judge. Too often we all are judgemental and the only judge is God, not us. We need to turn to Him as Susanna did.

The Gospel is a continuation of yesterday’s Gospel, from all masses except the 9:30a where we did the scrutinies. Under Jewish law it takes two to accuse someone under the assumption that two would not lie together though they did in this case. Jesus makes the comment that he and the Father are two. The Pharisees do not understand. Sometimes we do not understand. We are no the judge. Ultimately we will be judged on the actions we take on this earth. Do we follow God or are we doing what we want for ourselves on this earth?

We are called to follow God and his path not to judge but ultimately to be judged.

Psalm 23 I think helps. “Though I will walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.” This is a reminder that God is always with us. We too easily forget that. He is with each one of us right now. If we had a child with us we would know that and manage our actions accordingly. We need to do the same knowing that God is with us and too often we forget. Not too long ago I served at a funeral of a man who recently passed. While he was actively dying his family was with him at the hospital. A chaplain came in and asked if he could help. The family asked for a prayer. The chaplain said psalm 23 a the man died. We used that as the responsorial psalm at his funeral.

Today, think about the times today and or recently you have been judgmental and surrender them to God. Remember to follow his will not ours. Remember his presence with us always to help us with both.