HOMILY: Monday 30th March 2020

MONDAY 30th March 2020

*HOMILY: I choose God*

By Rev. Deacon. Samuel Muhanji Nyonje 

Readings: 

Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-64

John 8:1-11

Dear friends in the Lord, shalom. Today's readings presents us with the choice of God amidst the flesh and human desires. Daniel in the first reading presents Susanna accused by the Jewish elders of adultery. Susanna is a Jewish word 

meaning beautiful or pure. Susanna is married to Joakim a reputable Jewish man. Similarly, Susanna is from a wealthy, religious and law abiding family. How then could she have fallen into the prey of sin?

Dear friends, these two Jewish elders express their flesh desire into luring Susanna to sleep with them failure to which they would lay a plot against her. As someone who fears God and abides to the Mosaic law, Susanna chooses not to sin against God, instead she accepts to be accused falsely.

This is the same scenario we get in the Gospel pericope, unlike Susanna, this adulterous woman is caught in the act by the Jewish elders ( Pharisees). Their claim as presented in the Gospel was only to test Jesus so that he may fall to their trap, Just like Susanna in the first reading who was lured so that she may fall into the trap of the elders.

Brethren, many at times, we may have found ourselves in similar situation or maybe our friends or close alias. Today we are living in a community where justice is bought.  Community where only the few in the society have say. In this situation where the weak depicted by these two women whose rights are infringed, many find themselves in prison, cells and even many have lost job because of false accusations or injustice rendered to them.

Just like Susanna who turned to God and in fact God was on her side when Daniel came to her refuge and thereafter the table of injustice was overturned. Where do we run when in such duo lines? If I was Susanna in this present time, would I have really chosen God? Where is the place of God in my life? 

Our choice of God is what St. Augustine term as freedom. For in God there's hope. Susanna was able to preserve her beauty, purity and innocence. Same way we too are called to preserve the innocence and the purity of the graces of the sacraments we have received in the Church. Though we are weak, whenever we are restored to the graces of Sacraments through penance, it's our duty to strive and live it. 

Who is my Daniel? Who is Jesus to me?

Wishing you God's blessings in this new week.

Rev. Deacon. Samuel Muhanji Nyonje 

samnyonje.blogspot.com