Deacon Tom Writes,
“Old Problem – New Solution ”
The language in today’s readings tells us how much the Lord does on our
behalf… “The Lord… opens… ways in the sea
/ paths in mighty waters.” … “The Lord does something new”. The Responsorial Psalm proclaims, “The Lord is doing great things for us, we
are filled with joy”.
In today’s gospel,
Jesus had another difficult encounter with the scribes and the Pharisees. They
bring a woman who, witnesses say, committed adultery. They want Jesus’ opinion
on whether they should put her to death. It’s a trick question and Jesus is
aware of their insincerity. So, offering no opinion of His own as to the merits
of the Mosaic Law, He simply tells the authorities and crowd that had gathered
earlier to hear Him teach, “Let the one
among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Jesus avoids their
trap and sets their heads, and ours, spinning. Not surprisingly, Jesus had no takers. When everyone has
left, Jesus is alone with the woman. The exchange between them is profound. “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.”
The new approach to the old problem of “sin” that Jesus demonstrates
today is the way of compassion. It is subtle yet profound. Jesus knows that the
woman before Him is frightened and ashamed. She may have even preferred death
by stoning than the public humiliation she was suffering. Yet Christ does not
condemn her for her sin, quote her the citation from Leviticus she was guilty
of violating; He does not accuse or blames or point the finger. What He does do
is to encourage her to go and sin no more. He gives her a new beginning, a
fresh start.
What a grace! What a new way to fix a persistent problem. What an
experience of freedom… What an experience to make our own the remainder of this
Lent, to humbly place ourselves before God so that He can take away our sins
and our shame…and give us a fresh start by raising us to new life with Him this
Easter!
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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