Welcoming the Holy
Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.
By: Sister Donna Del Santo
Opening Prayer
Psalm 126 From Psalms for Praying © 2007 Nan C. Merrill
When the Divine Lover enters the human heart, all yearnings are fulfilled! Then will our mouths ring forth with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy;
Then will we sing our songs of praise to You, O Beloved of all hearts. For gladness will radiate out for all to see; so great is your Presence among us.
Restore us to wholeness, O Healer, like newborn babes who have never strayed from You! May all who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy!
May all who go forth weeping tears of repentance, bearing seeds of Love, come home to You with shouts of joy, leaving sorrow behind.
Reading
John 8:3-11
They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “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 anymore.”
Reflection
When I read this gospel my first thought was how familiar this is, yet how often do I really reflect on it? If I am honest with myself, and God, I too am a sinner and in need of forgiveness. I do not always live in right-relationship with members of my community or our world. And like the Pharisees, I too often sit in judgement of others. I found myself reflecting on Jesus’ understanding of who we are and who we are called to be, as he did with the woman at the center of our gospel and those gathered to condemn and stone her to death. So, instead of condemning the woman who is charged with adultery, Jesus challenges the officials, and the crowd gathered to condemn and stone her. So, what is it that we should take away from this gospel?
Perhaps this is a time to reflect on your life and hear the words of Jesus speaking directly to you – not condemning but giving you a new mission and a new vision of yourself. You can almost hear Jesus’ words, Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. In other words, “Don't look out, look within,” look into your own heart and put judgement aside, put on humility and become aware of your own need for forgiveness.
And what about the times when we condemn ourselves? The look Jesus gave to the condemned woman saved her – it was a look of divine and everlasting love. This is the same look that Jesus gives us in prayer where we can bring him all our pain and guilt and seek his forgiveness and be available to receive his words of consolation spoken to each of us – Neither do I condemn you.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, we remember the woman who was condemned, yet you, with your boundless compassion, forgave her. We thank you for your grace and mercy, and for the freedom you offer to all who turn to you. We ask for healing for those who have been hurt, and for the strength to forgive those who have wronged them. May they find peace and wholeness in your love, and may they be a light to others, reflecting your forgiveness and grace. Amen.
