Lent Wk 5th: Sunday 3rd April, 2022 April 3, 2022
Reflection on the WORD
Condemning Others Faith: In todays Gospel, the scribes and Pharisees, wanted to stone theadulteress to death according the Law of Moses. However, Jesus challenged them to cast their stones only if, they themselves have no sins. Ponder on: Are we often guilty of the very sins that we condemn others of?
John 8:3-7, 9-11
The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for something to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger.
As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus. ‘Go away, and don’t sin any more.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- •Today’s Gospel narrative is about two sins: one, the act of adultery and the other, making use of the woman to trap Jesus. We, too, sometimes make use of others for our own selfish motives.
- •In this Gospel narrative, the woman went away, put right with God, as her sins were forgiven. However, as for the scribes and the Pharisees, their motives backfired, and they came away with the guilt feeling that they too were sinners.
- •Whenever we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are put right with God. It is a great blessing and grace to receive this Sacrament.