Fr. Scott Haynes
The story of Susanna, found in Daniel 13, is often read as a dramatic narrative of virtue prevailing over corruption. However, beneath the surface of this tale lies a profound foreshadowing of Christian Baptism. Susanna’s trial and deliverance prefigure the Christian’s passage from darkness into the light of Christ through the cleansing waters of Baptism. The Church Fathers saw in Susanna a model of steadfast purity, a reflection of the Church herself, and a witness to the power of divine justice.
The Setting: A Bath and a Trial
The passage begins with a description of Susanna, the virtuous and beautiful wife of Joakim. As she prepares to bathe in her garden, two wicked elders, who had secretly lusted after her, seize the opportunity to entrap her. They offer her a terrible choice: yield to their sinful desires or be falsely accused and condemned to death. Susanna’s response is one of unwavering trust in God: “It is better for me to fall into your power without guilt than to sin before the Lord” (Dn 13:23). She chooses righteousness, fully aware of the suffering it will bring. In this, she becomes a symbol of the Christian soul confronted with the pressures of sin and persecution.
The Waters of the Bath: A Symbol of Baptism
The Fathers of the Church often interpreted biblical water imagery as a reference to Baptism. St. Ambrose of Milan, in his commentary on purity, saw Susanna’s bath as a prefiguration of the baptismal font. He wrote, “She entered the waters surrounded by evil, yet emerged spotless, proving that the just are washed by their faith, not by water alone” (De Virginibus, II, 5). Just as Susanna stepped into the waters and was later vindicated by divine justice, so too the Christian enters the baptismal waters, surrounded by the spiritual forces of darkness, but emerges cleansed and triumphant.
St. John Chrysostom also saw in this passage an anticipation of Christian perseverance. He noted, “Though wicked men encircled her, Susanna feared God more than men. Let this be a lesson to all who enter the waters of life: do not fear what man can do to the body, but trust in Him who redeems the soul” (Homilies on Daniel, 3).
Susanna’s Choice: The Baptismal Renunciation of Sin
Baptism is not only the washing away of sin but also a declaration of allegiance to God. During the rite of Baptism, the baptized renounce Satan and all his works. Susanna enacts this same renunciation, choosing to suffer injustice rather than defile her soul. This aligns with the words of St. Cyprian of Carthage: “The soul that is born again in Baptism must reject the world, just as Susanna rejected the enticements of sin, preferring to suffer than to be defiled” (De Lapsis, 7).
Like Susanna, every baptized Christian is called to reject sin at all costs. This is not a single moment but a lifelong commitment, continually renewed in the sacraments and in daily acts of faithfulness. The Church, in her wisdom, asks us to renew our baptismal vows, particularly at the Easter Vigil, echoing Susanna’s decision to trust God rather than compromise with evil.
Daniel as Christ: The Role of the Just Judge
When Susanna is falsely condemned by the elders, she cries out to God, and He raises up Daniel to be her deliverer. The young prophet, filled with divine wisdom, exposes the elders’ deceit and rescues Susanna from death. In this, Daniel prefigures Christ, who will one day expose the hidden works of darkness and deliver His people from the power of sin and death. St. Augustine saw in Daniel’s intervention a sign of the Gospel: “Christ is our Advocate, who defends us against the accusations of the enemy, exposing the lies of the devil and proclaiming the innocence of His redeemed” (Sermons on the Psalms, 64:2).
The elders, who represent the forces of corruption and hypocrisy, are ultimately condemned by their own words. This mirrors Christ’s confrontation with the Pharisees, who, though outwardly righteous, were inwardly full of wickedness (cf. Mt 23:27). Just as Daniel revealed the truth and brought justice to Susanna, Christ reveals the truth of our souls and offers us justification through grace.
Living Our Baptism: Susanna as a Model for the Christian Life
The story of Susanna is not just an allegory for Baptism; it is also a call to holiness. Susanna did not merely enter the waters of her bath—she emerged determined to remain pure, no matter the cost. In the same way, Baptism is not an end but a beginning. We are called to live out our baptismal purity in a world that constantly tempts us to compromise.
St. Peter reminds us: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pt 2:9). Susanna embodies this call, standing as a beacon of virtue in the face of immense pressure. Her story challenges us to reject sin boldly, trust in God’s justice, and embrace the purity to which we are called.
The Eucharistic Connection: Baptism and Spiritual Renewal
Just as we are baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection (Rm 6:3-4), we are continually renewed through the Eucharist. St. Thomas Aquinas, reflecting on the necessity of ongoing spiritual nourishment, wrote, “Baptism initiates us into life, but the Eucharist sustains us in it. As Susanna stood firm in her trial, so must we strengthen ourselves by the Body and Blood of Christ” (Summa Theologica, III, q. 79, a. 2).
Renewing our baptismal vows is not a mere formality—it is a recommitment to live as children of light. The Easter Vigil, where we publicly reaffirm these vows, is a powerful moment of grace. In it, we echo the choice of Susanna, rejecting sin and embracing God’s call to holiness.
Conclusion: Choosing Purity in a Corrupt World
The story of Susanna offers a striking parallel to the Christian’s journey. She steps into the waters of her bath, surrounded by evil, yet emerges victorious, purified not by water alone but by her unwavering faith in God. This is the very essence of Baptism. We enter the font stained with sin, yet we rise cleansed, called to live in the purity of Christ.
Like Susanna, we are often confronted with choices that test our faith. Do we yield to the pressures of the world, or do we trust in God’s justice? Susanna’s example urges us to choose holiness, to reject sin no matter the cost, and to trust that God will vindicate the righteous.
As we prepare to renew our baptismal vows, let us follow Susanna’s example. Let us reject sin, thirst for righteousness, and stand firm in faith. For as Christ Himself promised, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8).
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