Deacon Tom Writes,
“Old Problem – New Solution”
Today’s readings tell 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.”
Sometimes the Lord “does great things” for us but other times, he gives us the opportunity to do great things for others.
Jesus helps a woman.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus had another difficult encounter with the scribes and the Pharisees, who were starting to see Jesus as a threat.
They brought a woman to him who, witnesses said, committed adultery. There were strict laws for this—a death sentence. They wanted Jesus’ opinion on what they should do.
This was a trick question, a lose-lose question for Jesus, except he was one step ahead of them. If he answered “yes,” the woman would be stoned in keeping with the Mosaic Law. If he said, “no,” the Pharisees could brand Jesus as someone who didn’t support the law.
The Gospel doesn’t tell us what Jesus wrote on the ground. I’ve always thought it was some of those same Mosaic Laws that they were all guilty of violating. Jesus lived in the community—he would have known which shopkeeper was dishonest, who didn’t pay their taxes, who else had committed adultery or done something wrong.
After writing, Jesus said, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” He didn’t overrule the law, and he didn’t excuse the behavior. He offered the crowd a chance to reflect and act on their own conscience. Not surprisingly, there were no takers.
Jesus was left is alone with the woman. The exchange between them is profound.
Jesus asked, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir.”
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin any more.”
Showing compassion.
This shift away from retribution to compassion is subtle yet profound. It’s one of the keys to the New Testament—the shift away from “eye for an eye” toward love. This is radical, and it’s not something found in the Mosaic laws.
Jesus knew the woman before him was frightened and ashamed. She may have even preferred death by stoning than public humiliation. Yet Christ did not condemn her for her sin. He didn’t quote from Leviticus and tell her the law she was guilty of violating. He didn’t blame her or point the finger. Instead, he encouraged her: “Go and sin no more.”
He gave her a new beginning, a fresh start, forgiveness.
What a grace-filled, inciteful, positive way to encourage someone to make a course correction in their lives. This is something we should think about and emulate today. We never know what happened to this woman. I like to think she went did as Jesus asked, that she left and led a good life. I hope she paid it forward, helping others and showing them the compassion Christ showed her.
This works, for real.
I’ve spent many years in prisons as a Catholic chaplain. I’ve thought about the balance between compassion and retribution seeing the way the “justice” (“corrections”) system works. Sure, we need laws, penalties, and consequences for those who choose to violate laws and hurt members of society. But what is the ultimate goal? Is it to get even? Or is it to create the best world possible?
Judges and lawmakers are often faced with two choices—to issue harsh penalties as an example to others who might break the law, or to applying compassion and create paths for offenders who choose to rehabilitate themselves.
Corrections officers and police get those same two choices, too. After years of dealing with criminals, some act as judge and punisher, while others serve as problem solvers, listeners, and compassionate custodians of their fellow human beings.
Many times, that ounce of compassion from a police officer, judge, corrections officer, or senior inmate, especially when the offender didn’t expect it, was the thing they credited with changing their lives forever.
Compassion works outside the context of crime and punishment. It’s universal. Think of any situation where you’ve needed or given compassion, especially compassion that might not have been deserved. The investment often produces incalculable dividends.
People are loyal to the boss or person who showed them compassion. They show gratitude. They often want to improve, to be the best they can, to show they deserved the kindness.
That’s what Jesus demonstrated today.
“You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink!”
It’s not our job to make sure the person receiving the kindness did something heroic with it. It’s our job to be there to help in a crisis—to simply be available without judgment or condemnation, like Jesus did for the woman today.
Or, as Jesus said, “Go and sin no more.” This has the possibility of setting into motion real healing. As a prison chaplain, employer, parent and hospice deacon, I’ve seen this play out time and time again.
In Jesus’ time this was a radical approach to fixing a persistent problem. I’d argue it remains that way today. But, what an experience of freedom on both sides of the equation!
This Lent, I hope you’ll think deeply about compassion and make Jesus’ practice your own, remembering that it is God who stands in judgment, and it is our job to simply be there to listen and give comfort whenever the opportunity arises.
Because who doesn’t like a fresh start every once in a while? Who doesn’t like the slate wiped clean every now and again?
That’s the heart of the Easter message: Jesus gives anyone who follows his ways a fresh start by raising us to new life with him this Easter!
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
Recommendations:
“The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection.
Amazon summarizes this spiritual classic saying, “Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. It is the art of "practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end." He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our soul. We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence. For centuries this unparalleled classic has given both blessing and instruction to those who can be content with nothing less than knowing God in all His majesty and feeling His loving presence throughout each simple day.”
Church Meets World: the America Magazine Podcast
This is where the Catholic Church meets the most interesting and consequential issues of our time. Each episode explores a different topic through immersive stories told by America’s editors.
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