It is 30th March 2020. The readings are from Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; and the Gospel from John 8:1-11. We reflect about two women namely Susana who was accused of and the woman caught in adultery. Condemnation, sentencing, scapegoating, gossiping, denigration and crucifixion are the stones we carry in our hands to throw on the innocent ones in our families, and communities. God defends and runs to rescue the defenseless. We do not need to be perturbed and panicking when we do not have enough evidences to defend ourselves. Our truthfulness and faithfulness to God will be enough to defend ourselves as the episode of Susana unfolds. People around us can wish us a harsh punishment even when we are not guilty. But the first reading assures that God does not keep quiet when the innocents are being blamed unjustly. Where do we turn to when we are falsely accused of especially something to do with our personal and moral life? Susana is vindicated by God through the intervention of Daniel. “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom.8:31). Suspicion and false accusation can destroy our families and communities eventually break the person’s integrity and dignity. Lust and lies cannot defeat love and truth. However powerful is the person who accuses us we do not need to surrender to lies and manipulation of truth; the intervention of God is assured for all who trusts in God. The responsorial Psalm strengthens our hope, “Though I walk in the valley of darkness I fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Ps.23:4). As St. Augustine puts the today’s Gospel as a story of “misery with mercy.” The model Jesus sets today before us all is that even the blameless ones are not expected to condemn anyone even if they are got red-handed by others. Jesus was the only one without sin who did not condemn her but He showed mercy. Truth never condemns anyone. Truth purifies the person to move forward towards the ultimate truth God. Jesus desires us to leave our sinful life and drop the stones of condemnation and accusation so as to embrace a new, holy and sinless life. Jesus would repeat to us all, “Go and do not sin again” (Jn 8:11). May God bless you to acknowledge and to forgive. May you have a good day.