RBWords

     There is a tremendous amount of "dramatic tension" in the scene in today's gospel scripture!  It is about more than the attempt of the scribes and Pharisees to "trap" Jesus, or even the powerful emotional statement of Jesus (which should hit us all equally hard): "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone....!"  The "more" that I am speaking about is, "Go, and from now on do not sin any more."  In short, the lady has a new chance in life.  She can put the past behind her.  Jesus' mercy is complete - unlike that of the crowd which had to be shamed into refraining from imposing a severe penalty!

     Both Isaiah and St. Paul today speak about leaving the past behind and "straining" toward the promise that God offers.  For Isaiah it is the hope to be offered to the exiles returning from Babylon.  For St. Paul it is the prize of knowing and being with Christ.  Notice that he admits "It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it...."

     This weekend I begin a final Lenten parish mission in a small town not far from my own hometown in Louisiana.  The emphasis will be on "knowledge of Christ."  Our baptismal commitment makes us part of the Body of Christ, but in order to "put skin on" that reality, we must be prepared to see Christ in "the least of the brethren."  The penitential service will ask participants to look at the people in their lives and see where mercy has been lacking and stones have been thrown!  Then, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will offer the mercy of Christ and a new beginning: "Go, and from now on do not sin any more."  In these last days of Lent, moving toward the profound events of Holy Week, the challenge to put the past behind and strain toward the future can lead us to that great mercy.  Are we up to it?  AMEN