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Daniel 13: 1-9.15-17,19-30,33-62 Susanna and the two elders

Fr. Tom Konopka
2 days ago
2 min read

Today’s first reading about Susanna is tough one to hear. This poor young woman was exploited the old men, and they blamed her for what they wanted to do. Many women today are exploited or shunned by society:

Women who are struggling to make ends meet and are on Social Service Young women sold into human trafficking. Women who are exploited in the porn industry and made into objects Women in domestic violence situations The reality of the glass ceiling and women making less than men Women’s role in the church and government.

I could keep listing the ways, but we need the bravery and wisdom of the Daniels and Susannas of today who keep the issue in front of us. The very first teaching of Catholic Social Teaching is that all humanity is made in the image and likeness of God and therefore all men and women are to be treated as sacred. Again, Catholic Social Teaching teaches us that all people are to be treated with dignity and respect. Is making women or men into objects treating them with respect? I think this how many are justifying the treatment of the illegal immigrant. It is easy to abuse an object.

On this day of Lent, let us remember the abused women of our world and entrust them to the gentle care of our heavenly Mother. But we also must work to change the structures of our world that allow all abuse to happen.

Is today’s first reading uncomfortable to hear? Yes! But we must hear it and be uncomfortable enough to change the world in which we live, with God’s help and justice.

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Daniel 13: 1-9.15-17,19-30,33-62 Susanna and the two elders

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