Monday, March 23, 2026. We are deep into the Fifth Week of Lent. By now, the purple drapes in our churches feel familiar, and the call to penance has likely moved from a novel resolution to a daily rhythm. As we draw closer to the passion of our Lord, the Church gives us two powerful stories today that deal with one of the most difficult human experiences: judgment.
In the daily readings for this Monday, we encounter two women whose lives are on the line. One is innocent, and one is guilty. Yet, through their stories, we see a beautiful, consistent thread of how God views justice and mercy: a vision that is far different from our own.
The Integrity of Susanna
Our first reading comes from the Book of Daniel, specifically the thirteenth chapter. It tells the story of Susanna, a woman described as God-fearing and virtuous. She finds herself in a nightmare scenario. Two elders: men who were supposed to be the moral guides of the community: become consumed with lust for her. When she refuses their advances, they flip the script. They use their positions of power to falsely accuse her of the very sin they were trying to commit with her: adultery.
Susanna is caught in a trap. If she gives in to the elders, she sins against God. If she refuses, she faces death because the word of two respected elders carries more weight than hers. Her response is a masterclass in Catholic spirituality. She sighs and says, "I am hemmed in on every side… but it is better for me to fall into your hands without doing it than to sin in the sight of the Lord."
Susanna chooses integrity over survival. She puts her absolute trust in God, even when the human system of justice is failing her completely. This is the first lesson of the day: Justice isn't just about what people say or what a court decides. True justice is rooted in our relationship with God. Susanna’s "mission" was to remain faithful, even when the world was ready to stone her for a lie.
God hears her cry. He stirs up the holy spirit within a young boy named Daniel. With wisdom that surpasses his years, Daniel exposes the lies of the elders by questioning them separately. The innocent is saved, and the corrupt are held accountable. It’s a satisfying ending, but it sets the stage for a much more challenging lesson in the Gospel.
The Woman Caught in Adultery
In the Gospel of John (8:1-11), we see a scene that mirrors Susanna’s, but with a significant twist. Here, another woman is brought before a crowd. Like Susanna, she is being used as a pawn by religious leaders to trap a man of God. But unlike Susanna, this woman is actually "caught in the very act" of adultery. There is no question of her guilt.
According to the law of the time, the punishment was death by stoning. The Pharisees present this to Jesus not because they care about the woman’s soul or the law’s purity, but because they want to see if Jesus will contradict the law of Moses.
Jesus’ response is iconic. He doesn't argue the legalities. He doesn't even look at the accusers at first; He stoops down and writes in the dirt with His finger. When they keep nagging Him, He stands up and delivers the line that has echoed through the centuries: "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
One by one, starting with the elders (perhaps a nod to the elders in Susanna's story), the crowd drifts away. They realized that while they were technically "right" about her sin, they were fundamentally "wrong" about their own standing before God.
When everyone has left, Jesus asks, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replies, "No one, sir." Then Jesus says the words we all long to hear in our own moments of failure: "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore."
The Contrast: Human Judgment vs. Divine Mercy
When we look at these two stories together, we see the full picture of the "Mission of Forgiveness." Human judgment is almost always horizontal. We look at someone else, compare their sins to ours (usually favorably), and demand a penalty. We want "justice" when someone else fails, but we want "mercy" when we are the ones who stumble.
Divine mercy, however, is vertical. It comes from a God who knows every secret of the heart. In Susanna’s case, God’s mercy acted as a shield for the innocent. In the Gospel woman’s case, God’s mercy acted as a bridge for the guilty.
As the research into biblical forgiveness shows us, mercy doesn't mean that the sin didn't happen or that it didn't matter. Adultery is a serious wound to a community and a marriage. But Jesus shows us that the goal of God’s justice isn't destruction; it's reconciliation. He satisfies the "justice" by acknowledging the sin ("do not sin anymore") but extends the "mercy" by offering her a second chance.
Ministers of Mercy: The Role of the SPA
This balance of justice and mercy isn't just a nice idea for a Sunday sermon. It is a lived reality in the mission territories where the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA) operates.
In many parts of the world where the Church is young or facing persecution, the local priest or religious sister isn't just a spiritual leader: they are the "Daniel" of their community. They are the ones who must stand up for the innocent who are falsely accused in societies where the legal system might be broken. They are also the "Jesus" who must stand between a mob and a sinner, offering a path to reconciliation in places torn apart by tribal wars, political corruption, or deep-seated social divisions.
By supporting the formation of seminarians and novices through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, you are directly helping to train these "ministers of mercy." These men and women are being prepared to go into difficult environments and be the "spiritual backbone" of their people. They learn how to mediate, how to forgive, and how to lead their communities toward a justice that heals rather than a justice that only punishes.
You can learn more about how we support these future leaders at https://pontificalmissions.org/who-we-are/the-society-of-st.-peter-the-apostle. Your support ensures that when a "Susanna" is accused or a "woman caught in adultery" is shamed, there is a priest or a sister there to speak the truth and offer Christ’s peace.
Dropping Our Stones This Lent
As we move through the rest of this Lenten season, these readings invite us to a very practical examination of conscience. Most of us don't carry physical stones, but we carry "spiritual stones" every day.
We carry stones of gossip, which we use to bruise the reputation of others. We carry stones of resentment, which we hold onto until our hearts become as hard as the rocks themselves. We carry stones of self-righteousness, convinced that we are the "elders" who have the right to judge the "Susannas" or the "sinners" in our lives.
Lent is the season to drop the stones.
When we drop our stones, our hands are finally empty. And when our hands are empty, we are finally able to reach out and receive the mercy that God is so desperately trying to give us. Forgiveness is a mission. It is something we receive from Christ, and it is something we are mandated to give to the world.
A Prayer for the Mission
Today, let's take a moment to pray for all those in mission lands who are working for justice and reconciliation.
Lord, we pray for the seminarians and religious supported by the Society of St. Peter the Apostle. Grant them the wisdom of Daniel to protect the innocent and the heart of Jesus to forgive the repentant. May they be pillars of integrity in their communities, leading always with hearts full of Your mercy. Help us, in our own lives, to be just as merciful as You are. Amen.
As we continue our journey toward Easter, let's ask for the grace to be people of the "Second Chance." Let’s be a people who, like the SPA, believe that every person: no matter their past: deserves the opportunity to hear those life-giving words: "Neither do I condemn you."
The Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA) is one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. Its primary goal is to support the education and formation of local clergy and religious in mission territories. By providing for the material and spiritual needs of seminarians and novices, we ensure that the Church continues to grow and serve the most vulnerable populations across the globe.
To learn more about our mission or to support a seminarian today, visit our website: https://pontificalmissions.org/who-we-are/the-society-of-st.-peter-the-apostle