Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21, Ps. 126, Phil. 3:8-14, John 8:1-11
“Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?” (John 8:4-5)
We heard Jesus say two Sundays ago: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Last Sunday, Jesus told the story of the Prodigal Son whose repentance, though motivated by hunger, was celebrated by his father. His elder brother refused to attend the feast because he felt cheated. We act like the elder brother when we think God should not be merciful to sinners. Today, Jesus shows us how failing to examine our conscience leads us to believe we are better than others.
The Scribes and Pharisees were already discussing among themselves how to kill Jesus. They seemed to have found a perfect opportunity to “use one stone to kill two birds” when they brought the woman caught in adultery to him. What would Jesus say? “Go ahead and stone her to death” or “Leave her alone.” Let us find out as we examine today’s lessons.
1. Be Careful of Those Who Misquote the Bible
The scribes and the Pharisees said to Jesus: “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?” Meanwhile, Leviticus 20:10 reads: “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbour, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death.” These men were quoting the Bible out of context. Why did they leave out the man? This reveals how easily we can become blind to our shortcomings in condemning others. It also teaches us the need to be cautious of people who claim to know the Bible, yet their hearts are far from God. Even the devil can quote the Bible. Learn to read the Bible yourself.
2. Never be Too Quick to Respond
Those who come to us to discuss the faults and limitations of others are not our true friends. Being white-washed tombs, the crowd assumed they brought this woman to Jesus because they were against adultery. Meanwhile, their intention was to trap Jesus and catch him with his own words. This is why we must never rush to respond to gossip about others. I believe Jesus started writing on the ground with his finger to buy time for reflection and prayer. It is always best to take a moment to say a prayer before answering questions, no matter how brief. Call for God’s help because you never know who is who.
3. First Take Out the Log in Your Eye
Why is it so difficult to examine our conscience, but we are busy analysing, judging, and dissecting other people all day? After praying, Jesus correctly discerned that this was a trap. If Jesus had said, “stone her”, they would describe Him as heartless. If Jesus had said: “Do not stone her”, he would have been considered a law-breaker, an enemy of the tradition. Somehow, Jesus found a way of responding without falling into any trap. “Let him who has not sinned be the first to cast a stone at her.”
Before judging others, find out if you would have done better in their shoes. Remove the logs from your eyes so you can see clearly and remove the specks from others’ eyes. Beginning with the oldest, they dropped their stones individually and walked away. Examination of conscience is to the soul what regular medical check-up is to the body. By failing to examine our conscience, we take part in destroying others like a mob that kills a person before finding out whether they are guilty of what they are accused of.
4. Go and Sin No More; Keep Striving for Perfection
Jesus asked the woman: “Where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord,” and Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go and do not sin again.” By not condemning the woman, Jesus acted like the father who welcomed the prodigal son despite all he had done. Jesus said: “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7).
Like this woman, many of us may feel ashamed due to our past sins. We may be thinking that God is punishing us or about to punish us for our sins. We may even feel unworthy of coming to church today. However, I bring you Good News: God has not condemned you yet. He is not interested in punishing you. He only wants you to return home. The woman did not apologise for her sins, yet Jesus absolved her completely. Even the thief crucified alongside Jesus only asked to be remembered in paradise, and Jesus promised him eternal life. Regardless of your past, God still loves you.
5. Forgive Yourself; Forget The Past and Move On
Dear friends, today we are called to put ourselves in the shoes of the woman to whom Jesus said, “Go and do not sin again.” St. Paul had a similar experience when God appeared to him on his way to Damascus. Having received God’s forgiveness, there is always a temptation to think less of ourselves or believe we can never be good enough. Sometimes, our past weighs heavily on us, and we find ourselves repeating the same mistakes.
In today’s Second Reading, St. Paul gives us the solution to this dilemma: “Not that I am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own’ because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14). In other words, repentance is a journey, not a destination.
Similarly, God speaks to us through the prophet Isaiah in today’s first reading, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing something new; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19). Each of us has a past. You may see yourself as a desert, God is saying, I will make rivers flow from you. You may have gone deep in sin, but God says, “My child, you can still be a Saint. Forget the past. Rise, change, repent, go and sin no more!
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, give us the courage to cut ties with the past, the wisdom to leave sin behind, and the grace to strive for perfection daily. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (5th Sunday of Lent - Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Isaiah 43:16-21, Ps. 126, Phil. 3:8-14, John 8:1-11).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu