The Gospel today is a familiar one, but the interesting part is the attitude of the Scribes and the Pharisees, their self-righteousness and judgement of others. They condemned the woman caught in the act of adultery, but Jesus redeemed her and asked her to go and sin no more. It is simply a sign of how Jesus loves sinners but despises the evil they commit. That is what we must realize in this Lenten season and return to the Lord as we reflect further on the dialogue of the Pharisees, the adulterous woman and Jesus.
CONSPIRACY AND UNJUST TREATMENT
Today’s Gospel features a conspiracy and unjust treatment against the woman caught in adultery. And it is always the case when ‘the powerful’ or a group of people see themselves as superior to others. They use the inequality status to intimidate, maltreat and commit unjust treatment against others as the Scribe and the Pharisees have displayed today.
They brought the woman to Jesus but condoned the man who committed the crime with her, which is contrary to the demands of Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22. Both passages stipulate that: ‘‘if a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death’’. The law mandates death penalty for both parties, but the Pharisees decided to humiliate the woman alone. Do you see yourself here? Have you ever segregated or perpetuated this type of treatment unto others? How often do we let others down because they are not of our standard or of our group?
THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION
Inequality and injustice are strong among the Scribes and Pharisees. You can feel it in this passage, and it is still the case in some cultures and societies today. They brought the woman to the court of public opinion and condemned her. No one dared ask: Where is the man who committed the crime with her? They promoted the culture of male dominance over women, which is dehumanizing to women. However, I believe that they must have regretted bringing the matter to Christ, the Just Judge. .
A TRAP FOR CHRIST
It is a fact that some of the Scribes and Pharisees do not like Christ perhaps because he had been leading the way of transformation which exposes their hypocrisy. As such, they have been looking for a way to set him up against the authority. They brought the woman caught in adultery to him to know his stand. If Christ is compassionate and allows the woman to go as he would normally do, he would be going contrary to the Law of Moses that had permitted them to stone one who had committed adultery. If he permits her to be stoned, he would be going contrary to the Roman Law that has the legitimacy for such permission. It was a real trap for Christ.
THE REACTION OF JESUS
Jesus was careful and diplomatic in dealing with them and exposing their hypocrisy. He bent down and wrote on the ground with his fingers. He said to them: ‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her’ (John 18:8). He bent down again and started writing. He was probably writing the names of the accusers and the evils they have committed. Their conscience convicted them. They found themselves guilty and silently withdrew in shame, as they were not even better.
When they disappeared, they left the woman alone with Christ. But Jesus did not want to engage in further embarrassment and emotional blackmail of the woman. He only said to her: ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? ‘No one, Lord. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more’ (John 8: 10-11). Jesus showed compassion.
CONCLUSION:
The reaction of Jesus towards the woman is a clear demonstration of his love and compassion for sinners, and an open invitation to repentance. And by so doing, he never condoned adultery or sin, nor did he crush the sinner. Instead, he offered forgiveness and called her to holiness by his words: “Go and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). You and I have the same privilege in this season of Lent. Let’s not miss it.
Peace be with you.
[Readings: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62; John 8:1-11]
