Susanna’s story is one of the most eloquent and deeply moving in the Old Testament Scriptures. In it we see the wisdom of the prophet Daniel, as well as the mercy and justice of God. But sadly, we also see in this story the fickleness of the human heart and the evil and treachery that makes up some of our darker moments. Susanna’s story serves well as a backdrop for the woman caught in adultery, whose sin was loosed by Jesus.
This morning’s Liturgy of the Word calls us to right wrongs, to be completely honest and forthright in our dealings with others, to seek to purify our hearts of any wicked intent, and most of all to seek to restore right relationships with any person who has something against us, or against whom we have something. So basically, these readings are the spirit of Lent. Our prayer this day is that God’s mercy and justice would reign, and that God’s kingdom would come about in all its fullness, starting first and foremost in our own hearts.