Fifth Sunday of Lent Isaiah 43:16-21 Philippians 3:8-14 John 8:1-11
Once more, we stand on the brink of Holy Week. Throughout Lent we have been reflecting on the greatest gift of God’s love for us. Our reflection has been largely personal. If we are tempted to be self-satisfied with our progress, now we are reminded that self-righteousness has no place in the life of a Christian. God is doing something new and it changes our world. His tender love is directed to all. Condemning the lives of others when God is calling them to conversion is contrary to the Christian message.
The woman caught in adultery presents a challenging story. One might wonder why only one person is accused when clearly adultery concerns two people. The question of the man’s participation in this sin does not even arise. The woman in the Gospel is symbolic of all those people who live on the edges of our society, those who are considered unacceptable. These people live on the margins because they do not fit certain economic standards, are of an unacceptable racial or ethnic origin or because society is uncomfortable with their religious or political affiliation. Maybe we find them too liberal, too conservative or just too different from us.
Just the other day, someone called and asked what Jesus wrote in the sand. It is a natural question. The answer is we simply do not know. Some have suggested it was Scripture. Still others have speculated that it was the sins of those who were accusing the woman. Some say it was the Ten Commandments. The truth is that it does not matter. What ought to most attract our attention: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” It would be easy to think that the woman got off free and that she did not have to suffer the consequences of her sin. Of course, that is not true. Her humiliation was not removed nor do we know whatever social consequences she might have suffered. We do know that Jesus told her that she should sin no more and that his actions reflect the new thing that God is doing for us.
“Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see I am doing something new!” The words of the Prophet Isaiah echo in our hearts. We are forgiven of our own sinfulness and proclaim, “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” Paul repeats the sentiment when he tells us that he has been forgiven and transformed by his faith in Jesus Christ.
At this Eucharist we are called to sin no more because God is doing something new in us through Jesus Christ.
