First Reading - Daniel 13:41-62
Gospel - John 8:12-20
In the Gospel, we see Jesus in confrontation with the Pharisees. It was the first night of the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles (Festival of Booths), and Jesus was standing in the Court of the Women in the Temple courtyard in Jerusalem. That evening, he stood facing the blaze of light from two colossal golden lampstands, on which, as was customary, hung a multitude of lamps lit after the evening sacrifice. The light illuminated the entire city of Jerusalem.
Suddenly, Jesus made the bold and controversial claim: “I am the Light of the World.” With this statement, he was essentially declaring himself equal to Yahweh, which the scribes and Pharisees considered blasphemous. For Jews, light was closely associated with God: “The Lord is my Light” (Psalm 27:1), “The Lord will be your everlasting Light” (Isaiah 60:19), and “When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a Light to me” (Micah 7:8).
God’s light is also revealed in the story of Susannah, who was falsely accused of adultery by two elders who sought to take advantage of her. This story centers around two key moments: Susannah’s cry to God in her innocence, and God’s response through the stirring of the Holy Spirit in the young Daniel. Susannah’s cry symbolizes the plea of a faithful woman—faithful both to her marriage and to God. In response, God raises Daniel to speak out and expose the falsehood, ultimately saving her from condemnation. Though young, Daniel was attentive to God’s prompting and courageously pursued the truth.
This story reveals that those who walk in God’s light are never abandoned. Susannah and Daniel each represent a life lived in the light of God—Susannah in her unwavering fidelity, and Daniel in his sensitivity to the Spirit’s guidance.
Dear friends, Jesus uses the symbolism of light to reveal that he alone shows the way to the Father, just as light shows the way in darkness. He invites us to follow him so that we too may walk in the light and reach the Father, our destination. The first reading helps us understand how to walk in the light of Christ—by remaining faithful to our commitment to God, just as Susannah was. Through baptism and the sacraments, we have pledged ourselves to God. That commitment calls us to walk in the way Christ has shown. Our faithfulness to that path will never lead us astray. Just as Susannah didn’t compromise her fidelity, we too must remain faithful to God and to the promises we have made.
Daniel represents one who actively responds to God’s call—someone who walks in Christ’s light and works to bring about justice, peace, and the other values of God’s kingdom. When we truly walk in Christ’s light, we cannot live in the shadows of injustice, hatred, revenge, envy, or division. Instead, like Daniel, we are called to be bearers of light and witnesses to truth and righteousness. Our lives themselves become the measure of whether we are walking in the light or dwelling in darkness.
Let us pray that Christ’s light may fill the world, inspiring us and all people to live with goodness and kingdom values.
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