Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 18, 2024

Date:  Monday of the 5th Week of Lent

Scripture Text:  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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today is the familiar account of Jesus’ treatment of the woman caught in adultery. Jesus is in Jerusalem; He has come knowing that His hour is near. Yet He is still going to the temple area and teaching. It is there that the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman whom they claim had been caught in adultery, testing Jesus to see what He would do. It is interesting that the scribes and Pharisees present only the woman. Where is the man? What has become of him? Could it be that bringing the woman alone is symbolic of Israel as the bride of the LORD and the charge of adultery a reflection of its infidelities?

Jesus surprises the scribes and Pharisees. He doesn’t seek to stop them from exercising their judgments and punishment; rather He simply tells them “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Appropriately, all walk away in their own shame.

Left alone with the woman, Jesus asks, “Has no one condemned you?” When she replies that none have, Jesus assures her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin.” Jesus, the only one without sin, offers her a new beginning, with mercy and compassion.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I judge others? What right do I, as a sinner, have to judge another? Do I seek to bring my sinfulness before Jesus for forgiveness?

Praying:

LORD,  Jesus Christ, You came into this world so that we might have life and have it in abundance. You came to reveal the Father to us and His unfathomable love. You came not to judge. You brought wholeness and holiness with your words and touch and most especially with your selfless sacrifice upon the cross. Though You yourself are sinless, You paid the price for us and for our sins. This Lent, as we seek daily to turn, to set down those things that keep us from loving as we are called to love, we beg that You send the Spirit to flood our hearts and minds with your transformative love. Grant that we may grow into the daughters and sons the Father created us to be and into the disciples You call us to be. Amen.