5th Sunday of Lent April 6, 2025

Readings:  Isaiah 43:16-21 Philippians 3:8-14 John 8:1-11

“Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”  By saying this Jesus didn't mean that the woman didn’t do any wrong. No way did Jesus approve of her sin, but instead, he showed mercy to her and pardoned her. And, as for the woman’s accusers, Jesus redirected their judgmental frame of mind. Instead of judging others, they should judge themselves. Jesus did not condemn them either, but he helped them to come to their senses and realize their sinfulness.

As a penitential season, Lent is an invitation for us to recall our sinfulness in a particular way. The woman in this story is not just an isolated sinner. She represents all of us. She represents every person who has sinned. She represents you and me. But, the real focus of the narrative should be on the attitude of the self-appointed, righteous ones, the Scribes and Pharisees, whose harsh judgment of the woman clouded their consciences to their own sinfulness. They are sinners too, and also represent you and me. We sin in both ways - when we hurt others by indulging our desires at their expense and when we hurt others by setting ourselves up as superior and better than they.

Jesus offers that same compassion and mercy to each one of us, and also says to us - “NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU. GO, AND FROM NOW ON DO NOT SIN ANY MORE.” He does not expect perfection of us. However, he expects us to strive for perfection. And this is today's Good News.                                                                           

      Fr. Terry.