Fr. Don's Daily Reflection - September 26, 2024
Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from You.”
One hears that persons of integrity and character don't run for public office. They know that once you do, your private life is over. Even the slightest lapses become fodder for the press and other politicians.
Think of what an unforgiving press or public could do with the Hebrew Scripture heroine Susanna. She was falsely accused of adultery and vindicated by the prophet Daniel (Daniel 13:41-62). Then there's the woman taken in adultery in John's Gospel ( 8:1-11). She was apparently accurately accused but forgiven by Jesus. The case of Susanna would be spread over the media for days before being resolved; the vindication would be in small print weeks later. But, as is almost always true of Scripture, don't these two women stand for us?
Like the woman taken in adultery most of us have failures in our past if not our present. Like Susanna we are open to accusations, false or true. Our only security is in God, conscience and the faithfulness of friends. If, despite failures in the past, we try to live a good life today, we need to trust in our own intentions and God's acceptance.
Further, we all contribute to the climate of our society by the severity with which we judge. Do we impose outrageously unrealistic standards on others while excusing ourselves? From daily and frequent contact with Christ in sacrament and prayer we might learn some of his forgiveness and understanding.
Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”
