THE FEAST OF ST CYRIL OF JERUSALEM
“Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them.
“Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle.
They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him.
“Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
“But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
“Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders.
“So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” (John 8: 1 - 11).
"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8: 7).
Monday 18th March in the 5th week of Lent is the feast of St St Cyril of Jerusalem.
Bishop and Doctor of the Church. (315 - 386).
St Cyril was the Archbishop of Jerusalem when the Arian heresy disturbed the peace of the Church all over the Roman Empire.
Cyril vigorously defended the unchangeable teachings of the Church. For this, he suffered multiple exiles from the See of Jerusalem. St Cyril is recognized in history by his catechetical works. He prepared multitudes of Catechumens to receive Baptism and helped the Neophytes after Easter to grow in the faith. What is really providential in the work and legacy of San Cyrillo is that he documented his teachings which have come to us. His writings of over 1600 years ago prove that the Catholic Church is the same in teachings and beliefs in late 300s as she is today. Nothing has changed.
The sacred Texts from Daniel 13 and John 8: 1 - 11 present us with the story of two women. One is Susanna, beautiful wife of a very wealthy man. The other is a simple woman caught in the act of adultery. Both women were accused of adultery, a sin punishable by death in those days and still so in some Moslem countries.
There are a number of lessons in the two narratives.
#1 Satan is the Father of lies and the Book of Revelation calls him the Accuser of the brethren. Do you know anyone who delights in pointing fingers and quick to accuse? Unjust accusations against Jesus and Stephen led to their deaths.
#2 Corruption of power. Susanna was accused by two elderly judges whose advances she spurned. The woman caught in adultery was accused by those who caught her in the act and religious judges who wanted her dead. Judges and lawyers face continuous temptations to bribery and corruption.
#3 The stories ended well in the marvelous timely Divine Interventions. God used Daniel in the case of Susanna and Jesus the Divine Mercy in the case of the woman caught in the act of adultery.
What do we take away from the two stories?
"The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those who hope in him." (Daniel 13: 60). The reaction of the people shows that they understood that a miracle happened. They glorified God and their faith became strengthened. This is also the takeaway for us because every Bible narrative is there to build up our faith in a loving and merciful God.
"Now, be silent. Adore Me. Trust Me. I have only begun to show you the path of holiness that I am opening before you. And give thanks to Me, for I have saved you, through a particular intervention of My most holy Mother, from the fate that the Evil One was preparing for you for so long a time." (IN SINU JESU, Friday, March 28, 2008).
FEAST OF ST JOSEPH - TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024. HONOR ST JOSEPH WITH A HOLY MASS.
St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.
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