Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11
One of the great mysteries of today’s Gospel is what did Jesus write in the dust? The Fathers of the Church have proposed numerous theories. Some have suggested that Our Lord was writing the Law, others have suggested that he was writing the sins of the mob. It has even been suggested that he was doodling to show his contempt for the actions of the the scribes and Pharisees. Some have suggested that Jesus’ writing is a foreshadowing of the Book of Life, the allegorical book in which God records the names and lives of the righteous. Judgement certainly is one of the main themes running through this passage.
Today’s Gospel has often been misused by groups and individuals both outside and within the church to justify actions and lifestyles opposed to the teaching of the Church. However I always find that citing this passage and using the phrase “what would Jesus do?” is a bit of a cop out. To say that Jesus did not judge the women is not true. He does judge the woman. He acknowledges her sin but he does not endorse her actions. In fact he tells her not to sin again!
Nevertheless there is a stark comparison between Jesus’ judgement and the judgement of the Pharisees. The Pharisees are not only quick to condemn this woman but they are also perversely using her and the Law as a means to an end, an opportunity to trick and trap Our Lord.
On the other hand Jesus simply does not condemn the woman. He challenges her. He challenges her to a life without sin. He challenges her to strive to live in holiness. Unlike the Pharisees Jesus confronts a bad life, not with the exclusionary condemnation which is always tempting for those who consider themselves pure and holy. Instead, he confronts it with the challenge of a good life in Him.
Jesus gave the woman a choice: she could return to her sins, or she could embark on a life in the holiness of those liberated through God's grace. Jesus challenged her to have a new life in union with Him. This is the challenge that Christ puts before each and everyone of us every moment of the day.
One of the great mysteries of today’s Gospel is what did Jesus write in the dust? The Fathers of the Church have proposed numerous theories. Some have suggested that Our Lord was writing the Law, others have suggested that he was writing the sins of the mob. It has even been suggested that he was doodling to show his contempt for the actions of the the scribes and Pharisees. Some have suggested that Jesus’ writing is a foreshadowing of the Book of Life, the allegorical book in which God records the names and lives of the righteous. Judgement certainly is one of the main themes running through this passage.Today’s Gospel has often been misused by groups and individuals both outside and within the church to justify actions and lifestyles opposed to the teaching of the Church. However I always find that citing this passage and using the phrase “what would Jesus do?” is a bit of a cop out. To say that Jesus did not judge the women is not true. He does judge the woman. He acknowledges her sin but he does not endorse her actions. In fact he tells her not to sin again!
Nevertheless there is a stark comparison between Jesus’ judgement and the judgement of the Pharisees. The Pharisees are not only quick to condemn this woman but they are also perversely using her and the Law as a means to an end, an opportunity to trick and trap Our Lord.
On the other hand Jesus simply does not condemn the woman. He challenges her. He challenges her to a life without sin. He challenges her to strive to live in holiness. Unlike the Pharisees Jesus confronts a bad life, not with the exclusionary condemnation which is always tempting for those who consider themselves pure and holy. Instead, he confronts it with the challenge of a good life in Him.
Jesus gave the woman a choice: she could return to her sins, or she could embark on a life in the holiness of those liberated through God's grace. Jesus challenged her to have a new life in union with Him. This is the challenge that Christ puts before each and everyone of us every moment of the day.
Spot on. He does not condemn us, he does not let us off, he challenges us to change our ways.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this what confession is all about? Non-catholics say that we catholics go to confession and then come out and commit the same sins all again. Well, perhaps we do, but the sacrament does not let us off- it is a challenge to us each time, just as it was to that woman.