Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 8,1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle.
They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”
They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him.
Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more.”
I don’t condemn you either
1) In the midst of everyone: how many times do you and I point an accusing finger at each other. Judging the actions of others, as if you did not have weaknesses or errors. How many of us today believe we are holier than others and, deep down, the only difference is that others had a sin that was made public or seen, and perhaps yours is not seen or has not yet been discovered. Do not put anyone in the middle, do not point a finger because when you do so there are three fingers that point back at you.
2) He began to write on the ground: Saint Augustine, commenting on this Gospel, will say that Jesus was writing the sins of those who wanted to stone her, as if saying “Do you want to stone her even when you have this sin?” That is why today, in this last stretch of Lent, the greatest greatness is that you put aside that judging of others and that attitude of a customs agent going around saying who is and who is not.
3) I do not condemn you: this woman was surprised by the actions of Jesus. How many of us, I include myself as a priest, have acted exactly in the opposite way. We have stoned others with our attitude or our words. We have not been a Church like a field hospital that welcomes the wounded and heals them. We have become like a club where we set conditions for membership. Today let´s be a Church that embraces and heals, that lifts that fallen brother or sister and knows how to look into their eyes, giving and receiving the dignity given to us by God.
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And always remember, Heaven is our goal!
Your contribution help us to continue with our mission
God Bless You!
