March 21, 2010
5th Sunday of Lent
35 years ago I stood before a judge pleading guilty to my second speeding ticket in a relatively short period of time. I asked to go into a special class for offenders to lessen the mark on my license. In the Gospel of John, men bring a woman to Jesus and accuse her of a serious sin. They ask if she should receive the harsh punishment proscribed in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Jesus bends down and draws in the sand. When they insist on judgment, Jesus says: “Let the one among you who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her.†Why is it that we are so ready to pass judgment and condemn? In pointing out the sins of others do we think that we will appear better than we are? Slowly, one by one, the scribes and Pharisees leave. Alone with the woman, Jesus says: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.†Jesus does not condone the sin of adultery. Jesus does not condemn the woman but invites her to experience divine mercy and change her life. Like the Jewish community in exile (1st reading), like St. Paul in prison (2nd reading), the unnamed woman is given a second chance. St. Paul writes of the supreme good of knowing Jesus, of experiencing his resurrection and of suffering with him. Even in chains, St. Paul is free in Christ. In Jesus suffering and mercy meet. We are all sinners and we are all in need of God’s mercy.
Next:
Palm Sunday
