Word to the Wise
Monday, March 27, 2023 - 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." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more." [John]
The stories of Susanna in the Book of Daniel and the woman caught in adultery in the Gospel According to John have one big difference and one even bigger similarity. The difference is that Susanna is innocent and the other lady is not. But the similarity is in the judgment rained down on both women. Susanna is ultimately vindicated by Daniel's shrewd cross-examination of the lecherous elders. Jesus does not declare the woman innocent but neither does he condemn her. When Pope Francis, in response to a reporter's question about the status of gay people in the church, said, "Who am I to judge?", the rock-toters were ready to fling at both the Pope and gay people.
In short, the scene is not about the woman but about the rock-toting crowd. It is not about her conduct. She is not acquitted. The scene is about the mob who stand with rocks in hand only to have Jesus challenge their moral credentials. Note that the leaders of the crowd - scribes and Pharisees - are the first to leave!!! It is the urge to punish and do violence that Jesus uncovers. Moral standards are not meant to give an excuse to draw blood and take life, which ironically is evil itself! Lynch mobs are not the Body of Christ!
The "crowd" will gather again in the Gospel According to John and cry, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" When Pilate asks Jesus, "What have you done?" are we ready to supply a reason for our presence? Will the Roman authorities be our agents, the rocks in our hands? Do we stand with Jesus in the gospel scene for today, or do we slink away to pick up a rock on another day? AMEN