April 07, 2019
5th Sunday of Lent C
When we hear these verses about the woman caught in the act of adultery and brought before Jesus we may rightly say: “Where is the man?†How can there be just one person, the woman, who is publicly accused and shamed? We sense the motivation of the scribes and Pharisees is not justice. They are using the woman to trap Jesus.
Jesus refuses to discuss the proscription of the Law of Moses to stone such women. Jesus bends down and writes on the ground. We have no idea of what Jesus is writing on the ground. When they persist in demanding a response from Jesus, Jesus says: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.†Jesus bends down and doodles on the ground again. One by one the accusers walk away.
The woman and Jesus are left alone. Jesus stands up and asks her: “Woman, where are they? Has one condemned you?†She replies: “No one, sir.†Jesus says: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do sin anymore.â€
Imagine that you are/I am in crowd caught up in the public humiliation of the woman and the trap set for Jesus. Do we hear Jesus’ words? “Let the one without sin be the first to cast a stone at her.†Imagine that you are/I am the woman caught in a sinful action that goes public. Now alone with Jesus with no one pointing their finger of condemnation at us do we hear his words: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.â€
Lent is about drawing closer to Jesus, confessing our sins, experiencing God’s mercy and, with God’s grace, changing our lives. Are there things in our lives of which we are ashamed? Have we laid them before God and asked for forgiveness, or are we clinging to them, afraid to let God know who we are? God already knows. There is nothing to hide and nothing to fear. God is slow to anger. God is rich in kindness and compassion. God is mercy itself.
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Fourth Sunday of Lent C
