Word to the Wise
Monday, April 7, 2014 - 5th Week of Lent - Mon
[Dan 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62 and John 8:1-11 or, in Year C, John 8:12-20,325]"Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, Sir." "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more."
In this famous scene, there are two "points of mercy!" There is the "mercy of the crowd" and there is the mercy of Jesus! I have quoted Jesus' mercy above. The "mercy" of the crowd is demonstrated by their slinking away after Jesus challenges them with the words: "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Violence in the name of religion is just barely avoided!
This scene is deeply disturbing. In the news we read of similar scenes in the Middle East, but we should pay closer attention to our own situation. Bishops in this country have been confronted by angry Catholics demanding excommunication for certain politicians or punishment for clergy who are not exact in their rubrics! The "law" is on their side, but there is no "mercy" in them. How about our own personal attitudes when we feel resentment toward someone else whom we feel the "law" should punish to the severest degree? What kinds of rocks do we hold in our hands, ready to throw (but scared to be the first)?
The "crowd" will melt away, but live for another day when they will scream, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Is there a hammer in our hearts? As we stand and look at Jesus, the woman, and the crowd moving away, muttering under their breath, how do we feel? AMEN