Reflection for April 6 Fifth Sunday of Lent: John 8:1-11

Gospel: 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 anymore.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you a person who is quick to judge?

Many of us like to judge others without realizing that when we judge, we also invite others to judge us. This is our weakness—we are very quick to judge. But what authority do we have to judge and condemn others?

We are quick to judge because we have a mindset of superiority. This mindset compels us to judge those who sin. Otherwise, if we do not have this sense of superiority, we will not judge. Instead, we offer advice or counsel, as this is the best way to help those who have sinned. Well and good if sinners follow our advice; if not, it is up to them.

Judgment or condemnation will never heal a sinner; in fact, it may push them deeper into sin until it ultimately destroys them.

In the Gospel, the woman caught in adultery was very blessed because her accusers brought her to Jesus. Otherwise, if she had been taken somewhere else, she would have been immediately killed by the arrogance of her accusers. But thanks be to God, Jesus was there to save and protect her.

To whom do you turn for shelter and solace when you are condemned and unfairly judged by the people of this world, or when you are burdened by the worries of life? —Marino J. Dasmarinas