Reflection
The first reading today, set during the Babylonian Captivity, superficially depicts Daniels’ rescue of a virtuous young wife unjustly accused by evilly lecherous judges. Initially convicted on the testimony of the two, she cries out to God who hears her and stirs His spirit in Daniel to intercede for her. Daniel, inspired to the truth of the matter, examines the accusers separately, proving the calumny of their lies, acquitting Susanna. On an allegorical level, the wicked elders: “offspring of Canaan”, symbolize pagans and apostate Jews trying to draw faithful Jews: “offspring of Judah”, into the sin of apostasy, often depicted by prophets as adultery.
The Gospel reading from John takes place during the seven-day feast of Tabernacles, also called Sukkot. The Jews commemorated their Exodus wandering in the desert by building booths. The feast was also commemorated by lighting four great lamps lighting up the sky above the Temple and reminding the Jews of the glory cloud at Mt. Sinai. This brings Jesus to self-identify as “the light of the world”. Jesus’ listeners would have understood the connection, and many would have been offended by it. The Pharisees, judging only by appearance, will legalistically point out that the Law requires the testimony of two men to verify a truth. Jesus’ truth is verified by His Father, whom the Pharisees cannot perceive. John will repeat this connection throughout his Gospel, anticipating the difficulty many, including His disciples, will have understanding. “He who has seen me has seen the Father”.
The passage concludes with the inability of Jesus’ challengers to arrest Him. As in other places, until He permits them, they cannot lay hands on Him: “his hour had not yet come.”
Jesus is the “light” in two senses: because He is the fullness of Divine Revelation, He is the light that enlightens our minds. He also is the light that shines in our hearts which enables us to accept the Revelation and to live by it.