3 April 2022
Fifth Sunday of Lent
In today’s gospel, we find Jesus teaching in the temple area when he is interrupted by a group of scribes and Pharisees who bring a woman who has been caught in adultery. They call him “teacher”, but the use of the term is insincere as they are the ones who want to test him, asking for his opinion on what to do with the woman.
What they don’t expect, however, is to be caught by Jesus’ pedagogical style that involves the student in the learning process. With the words, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her,” Jesus leads them in a reflection exercise into the intimacy of their memory. The lesson is clear. With their past failings before them, the men realize that they are not worthy of executing judgment and that the woman is no less worthy of receiving forgiveness. God’s mercy reigns.
There’s a touching detail in the story. It is the elders in the group who are the first to walk away, well-aware, perhaps, of their many shortcomings and God’s many tender mercies. Perhaps, also aware that they would soon meet their Maker, and that the compassion which they received, which they were now showing would live on in this woman and in us.
Five weeks after having heard, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” let us pray to have some of the wisdom and humility that these elders showed. And may the Teacher’s compassion bring us to life everlasting.