Readings: Is. 43:16-12; Phil. 3:8-14; Jn. 8:1-11
License to Kill
1. Once again, there is a confrontation between Jesus, the scribes, and the Pharisees—the self-righteous, law-abiding, faultfinding, know-it-all, holier-than-thou, pious, hypocritical, and moralizing scribes and Pharisees! In the Gospel, they brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, stones in hand, demanding permission to stone her to death. Interestingly, her accomplice was not mentioned; they had only captured the woman. Since she broke the law, they insisted she must pay for it with her life.
2. Jesus, who always taught his disciples to forgive and show mercy, even to sinners, found himself caught between two extremes: the righteous bigots and a poor sinner. Should he go against his teaching on mercy, compassion, and forgiveness, or side with the law and condemn the woman to death? Siding with the law would deny her the chance to repent. But as God is a God of second chances, Jesus stands with the oppressed, the poor, the disenfranchised, sinners, prostitutes, tax collectors, the forgotten, the voiceless, the hopeless, and the nobodies. He reminded us, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Again, he said, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus came for the last, the least, and the lost. His middle name is mercy, and his mission is to preach compassion and forgiveness.
3. We become a new creation each time we forgive others. “See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). God brought the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through the desert, leading them to walk through the waters dry-shod into the promised land. He saved them because he loved them and was never tired of forgiving them. “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare, not for woe—plans to give you a future full of hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
4. Paul understood God’s immeasurable love for him, so he considered everything a loss compared to the supreme goodness of knowing Christ Jesus. Having been forgiven, Paul began to preach the message of reconciliation. We are forgiven to serve! The sinful woman who was forgiven in the Gospel dedicated her life to serving God. She became a disciple of Jesus from that day until the day of Christ’s burial. No wonder she was the first to see Jesus after his resurrection. When we are forgiven, we are liberated and sent on a mission as ambassadors of forgiveness. This is indeed something new! God has made something new of us; can we perceive it?
5. Today’s liturgy encourages us to approach the throne of grace and seek forgiveness for our sins. We must be humble and go to confession to be part of the new thing that God is doing. Yes! Jesus granted permission to the men standing with their stones to execute the woman, but only if they were without sin. Were any of them worthy of casting the first stone? Not one! Why? Because they were sinners just like her.
6. Do you think you have no sins? If you recognize yourself as a sinner, why not go to confession? When was the last time you went to confession? If it were two, five, or seven years ago, Jesus invites you: “Come back to me with all your heart; don’t let fear keep us apart. Trees do bend, though straight and tall; so must we to others’ call. Long have I waited for your coming home to me and living deeply our new lives” (Song by John Michael Talbot).
7. Come,
taste, and see the goodness of the Lord. Come to Christ and drink deeply from
the abundance of his love and mercy. His love conquers all your sins. His
forgiveness will transform your selfishness into selflessness, your unforgiving
heart into a humble and forgiving one, and your pride into humility. He will
give you the joy of the Gospel and help you to perceive the new thing He is
doing in your life. What are you waiting for? Come, He is waiting!!
Rev.
Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.