“God stirred
up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel, and he cried out loud, ‘I will
have no part in the death of this woman.'" - Daniel 13:46
“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? ‘No, Sir’. Then
Jesus said, ‘Neither do I….’" - John 8:10-11
In both of
these scriptural passages, we experience God’s definition of Justice, Mercy and
Love.
In both
stories men, some of whom were respected leaders in their communities, accuse
women of adultery and want them put to death according to the law of their
religion. Interestingly in that religious system, women were most often the
targets of retributive justice for suspected or actual sexual activity, not
men. How come?
The readings
seem to also invite us to reflect on God’s incredible capacity for forgiveness.
We see how women have been oppressed and disempowered by religious structures
established by men. Interestingly, the two ‘saviors’ are both men: the young
man, Daniel in the story of Susanna, and Jesus in the woman caught in adultery.
We are invited
to look hard at the societal and religious institutions that frequently
perpetuate injustice and oppression of those considered less equal. As a man, I
draw strength and hope for the models of treating women with dignity from two
other men: Daniel and Jesus. Both courageously went against the power structure
of their Religion and Society and challenged the systems that oppressed and
objectified women. These ancient stories have particular relevance today, where
women around the world, including the United States, are still endangered and
suffer racial, economic, political and gender/sexual orientation exploitation.
As we approach
Holy Week with Jesus, in this particularly perilous time, let us ask for the
grace to confront systems of oppression and privilege that have perpetuated a
‘less than’ view of women. God has only one family: and that’s all of us.
Ed Poliandro
The Inter-parish Collaborative for Pastoral Care to LGBTQ Catholics and Their Families
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