- 1st Reading – Isaiah 43:16-21
- 2nd Reading – Philippians 3:8-14
- Gospel – John 8:1-11
“Let him who is without sin among you, be the first to throw a stone.”
What a profound statement. A powerful reminder that we are all sinners and that we shouldn’t be too hasty in judging others. “Condemn the sin, not the sinner.” As you may know, I’m the director of prison ministry for the Archdiocese, and I go to the prison in Sutton every Saturday morning to lead a service and then sit and talk with anyone who wishes to do so. In the eight years I’ve been doing so, I’ve learned, that most of the people in prison are just like the rest of us, except they’re the ones that got caught. At St. Michael’s, I’m often talking to other men trying to drum up more volunteers for the prison ministry. And I’ll admit, it’s a tough sell. Spending a couple of hours on Sat. Mornings locked up with criminals doesn’t sound very appealing; and sometimes someone will tell me that those in prison are getting what they deserve, and they shouldn’t be getting any privileges. Which is why I love today’s Gospel story which I’ll refer to and ask them if they are casting the first stone. Who more needs to know the forgiveness and the loving presence of Christ, than those who have sinned.
In today’s Gospel a woman caught in sin is brought before Jesus. The scribes and the Pharisees were simply using her as a pawn to test Jesus. To try and trap him. Once again, they thought they had him cornered. If Jesus agreed to the stoning, they would be able to denounce him to the Roman authorities as an enemy of Caesar. For the Romans had forbidden the Jews for using capital punishment. That was only for the Roman Governor. If Jesus responded “no” to the stoning, they could accuse him of being a traitor to the law of Moses, and he would be (guilty of treason) which prescribed stoning for such a sin. Jesus had to respond. He had to set things right while walking a fine line between the boundaries of Roman law and the Law of Moses. But Jesus’ answer is so profound, it leaves everyone in silence. All the stones are dropped, and they all leave one by one. But the woman isn’t just let off the hook either. Jesus, full of compassion forgives her, but instructs her to “go and sin no more.”
All of this echoes what Jesus was about to teach his disciples. “God sent his only Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but rather to save it.” God indeed judges and passes sentence, but it is the sin he condemns, not people.
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
In those words, Jesus silenced and dispersed the crowd. He also forgave and showed great compassion toward the woman.
How easy it is for us to criticize and judge the actions of others: and how embarrassing when we then look back on our own faults. When our own faults are revealed, we look for compassion and mercy, but where is our compassion and mercy for others.
“Blessed are the merciful for mercy shall be theirs.”
It’s most important for all of us to mend our ways, to “Go and sin no more.” in order to please God. We are in this world, as St. Paul said, “striving to reach that final goal.” Everlasting life in heaven.
Today’s Gospel reminds us that to reach that goal, we mush have mercy and compassion towards others.
“Condemn not, and you will not be condemned.”