Monday of 5th Week of Lent: reflection
Theme: TRUST IN GOD ALWAYS, HE WILL NEVER FAIL YOU.
Reading: Dan 13:1–9,15–17,19–30,33–62
The long story of the travails of Susanna and her rescue by Daniel, which we read in the first reading of today’s Eucharistic celebration, ended with some words of praise to God from the crowd who witness what transpired. It said: “Then all the assembly shouted loudly and blessed God, who saves those who hope in Him.” Perhaps this long narrative was recounted to teach us that our God rescues those who hope in Him against all odds, those who hope in Him even at such times when hoping in Him appears unrealistic. Indeed, our God never fails those who sincerely look up to Him.
Recall that Susanna refused to grant the evil wishes of those two wicked men because she didn’t want to sin against God. When she was being sentenced to death, she was still praying to this God for rescue. Imagine what was going on in her mind and the minds of those who heard her pray to God for rescue as she was being led to the place of her execution. She may have been thinking that God had disappointed her. The people may have also been thinking that trusting in God was a futile venture, the same way many people of our own time think or feel when they see the just suffering many hardships and trials.
True to His name, God did not fail Susanna; He intervened and rescued her, proving all those who doubted Him wrong. Dear friends, sincerely trusting in God even in those moments when such trust appears unfeasible isn’t a stupid idea. People may mock and laugh at you, but the God who saved Susanna will not let you down. Remember, it was at that time when the Jews thought that they have conquered His Only Son that He raised Him from the grave and gave Him glory. He is the same God, and He will never fail you. Trust in Him. With Him on your side, you should fear no evil even if you should walk in the valleys of the shadow of death (Ps.23:4)
Another important lesson we should extract from this story is that we should not be afraid to be the lone voice saying something different but right in the midst of myriads of voices saying and believing something wrong. The satanic ideology of ‘if you can’t beat them, you join them’ has left our world deeply wounded and has contributed to the persecution, misery and death of many innocent people. If Daniel had kept mute for fear of the crowd, innocent Susanna would have been killed. Therefore, let us always remember that anytime we keep mute in the face of injustice and lies, someone innocent pays the ultimate prize.
May God bless your new week with abundance of grace and favours. Amen