Gospel Reflections for March 13 2016
Whose side are you on?
A boisterous crowd brings to Jesus a frightened woman caught in the act of adultery.
There is no doubt she is guilty. She knew that her punishment was death by stoning, a particularly cruel way to die. The scene must have been intense. On one side is a large and boisterous crowd. On the other is a lone and frightened woman. They look to Jesus for His response. What will He do? What would you do?
Will Jesus go back on His reputation for mercy or will He uphold Jewish law? Jesus reveals that He actually knows the law better than the crowd …and it promises a happy ending.
Jesus says one of the most famous lines in the entire Gospel, “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.” One by one the crowd leaves and the woman is now alone with Jesus. However, it was not just any sin that Jesus meant. He also knows something special about this crowd.
Jesus knows the law actually demanded the death of both the man and the woman in adultery. Jesus indicates that that many in the crowd have also been with this woman. It was their names that He was writing on the ground. As they saw their names, they walked away, and so the woman was left with no accusers.
This Gospel reveals the heart of what it means to be merciful. Mercy implies that a person is truly guilty, which this woman certainly was, and that there is a serious punishment coming, which there certainly was. Mercy implies that the person recognizes their guilt as well. Above all, mercy implies there is a desire for a changed life. That change makes all the difference.
Our Lord offers mercy because of her desire to change her ways, He removes the punishment of death and says, “Go, and sin no more.” He offers that same mercy to us as well.
This is a perfect Gospel for the Season of Lent. Each week we are reminded that Jesus is not interested in punishment for our mistakes! He only wants a changed life.
He is focused on the two stages of mercy … we humbly recognize we have done wrong and we sincerely desire to change. All is then forgiven.
These are the steps that happen in every Sacrament of Confession as well. If you have not done so already, let me suggest this Sacrament to you in these final days of Lent.
Our Lord promises a happy ending and that He is on our side!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
THANK YOU, Fr. Dave! When I read this gospel earlier this week, I wrote in my notes, “I always find it interesting that the woman is being accused but not her partner in crime. Yet, Jesus makes it universal when He indicates that each person is responsible to atone for his or her own transgressions.” I had never learned that He was writing names, always wondered what He was doing. This is fun; I’m enjoying this education.
Yes, Deuteronomy 22:22 and Leviticus 20:10, and other verses all indicate that both the man and the woman are to be put to death. See some of the other answers to the archaeology of this passage above. I am glad you find my articles helpful!
Father Dave, You expressed Jesus’ words so beautifully!!! Mercy and forgiveness is the meaning of LOVE!!! Jesus yearns for our return to Him!!! To be sorry for our wrongs and be forgiven fills our soul with immense joy!!! We start brand new once again!!! Our faith is centered on living Jesus’ love and sharing that love with others!!!As we are forgiven we have to forgive!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious Faith of Love!!! Have a precious day in our Jesus and our Mary’s Divine Love!!!! for you live our Jesus’ and our Mary’s LOVE!!! and share it with everyone!!!!
Loveeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
This Gospel reading does give hope to all who read it. Interesting about bringing the woman when the man could have been stoned. This year was the first time I really knew it was in their law. I love this scripture as it does talk about God’s mercy towards us. I was at that seminar with the Priest from back east and his talks were great, especiallyon forgiveness. Where since coming back to the Church I rarely went to confession. This scripture and along with the teaching I went for the first time in 3 years and really for the first time ever got really touched by it.
The other thing on this Gospel reading was looking at the other side of judging and our attitude about “the sinner” (not me, of course!!!!) Between pointing at others forgiving we have 3 fingers pointing back at us. It is a good reminder that by the grace of God go I and I need to look at myself before judging others and condemning them.
Well said!
This Gospel is so appropriate for this Jubilee Year of Mercy! And your connection to changing our ways in real life goes along with it. If we confess our sins, do acts of mercy and pass through the door at St. Clara in Oxnard we shall receive special graces.
That is precisely the path to holiness!
Thank you, as always, Father Dave. I did not know that what he was writing in the sand were names of other men who were just as guilty. Of course!
See you next Thursday!
The Gospels are extraordinarily rich sources of wisdom and insight.
How do you know that Jesus was writing down names? Is this speculation or is there other scripture or historical document? Upon reading it, I thought that it made a lot of sense and would like to know if yiu have a scholastic source.
(This response is repeated from another similar question. ) I actually read a lot of articles, books, and magazines on Biblical archaeology. IN the last decade, most of archaeology has been focused on understanding daily life at the time of Jesus, so the impact of the law on adultery, it’s location in an honor/shame society, and the role of a “outsider” person like Jesus has become much better understood. This crowd would not have been deterred simply by saying “Let the one without sin cast the stone.” The sin that Jesus mentioned would have had to be a death penalty sin, such as the case for adultery, and Jesus would have had to have made the connection with that sin and individuals in the crowd. Archeology has helped to make the Gospels so much more compelling!
I’ve heard this gospel 100’s of times but never understood as well as now after your explanation …. Thanks!
Larry,
It is a fascinating Gospel, especially since it involves a life or death event. This woman was very lucky the crowd brought her to Him!
Hi Fr. Dave, For this reading I can’t help but wonder if I would be one in the crowd with a stone in my hand? Daily I judge even if it’s not intentional. Maybe because it’s so difficult to believe God loves. Me with all my flaws. Something to think about. Thanks as always. Fran
Well, the occasional judging of others is not quite the same as being ready to stone someone to death. No need to be too hard on yourself! I think it is a great thing to focus on God’s love for us. That is a great motivator!
This is the first time I heard that anyone has identified what Jesus wrote in the dirt. All I have ever heard is we don’t know what He wrote.(As recently as the Homily at 5PM mass on Saturday) How did you discover this?
I read a lot of articles, books, and magazines on Biblical archaeology. IN the last decade, most of archaeology has been focused on understanding daily life at the time of Jesus, so the impact of the law on adultery, it’s location in an honor/shame society, and the role of a “outsider” person like Jesus has become much better understood. This crowd would not have been deterred simply by saying “Let the one without sin cast the stone.” The sin that Jesus mentioned would have had to be a death penalty sin, such as the case for adultery, and Jesus would have had to have made the connection with that sin and individuals in the crowd. Archeology has helped to make the Gospels so much more compelling!