Reflection – Lenten Vespers, April 3, 2022
Chapel of the Assumption
Written by: Sister Jean Augustine, SC
Do you enjoy a story? Are you captured by the account of what happened and how the story ends? Do you try to recall the details and look forward to retelling it? Children especially beg to be told a story. Yes, we do love stories. . .certainly those with happy endings and also those which offer a cathartic release when we search for the Kleenex or ponder the meaning . We’re interested in the plot, the setting, the characters, theme; a story catches our attention.
Today I’m here to reflect with you on the Gospel for the 5th Sunday of Lent., a familiar story best known as The story of the Woman Caught in Adultry, but Jaime Waters, a writer of the Column,” The Word” in America Magazine suggests a new label is needed for this Scriptural Story: “ The Woman Whom Jesus Saw and Respected “ or “ Jesus corrects the Jewish leaders. “ The writer argues that labels influence interpretation and can minimize the focus to a judgmental view of what the story is about. Although this Gospel story is brief, as we reflect on it we grow in knowledge and love to apply its meaning , toexamine our own ways of being or thinking and encounter the Living God .
This well-formed story from the 8th Chapter of St. John, vs. 1-11, sets the scene in the temple area not far from the Mt. of Olives. It was early morning, and Jesus came into the area along with a crowd which quickly filled the space around him, eager to listen. Jesus sat down and began to teach. Suddenly, there’s a ruckus, a group of Pharisees and scribes are pushing through the crowd with a woman for public judgment and, on the basis of their explanation,for execution. Shoving or dragging the woman to stand in front of Jesus and the crowd, they would have shouted: “Stand there. . .in the middle. . .in front of everyone. “ One man would have announced to Jesus: “ Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. How should she be handled?”
They reminded Jesus, according to the law of Moses as clearly defined in Leviticus and Deuteronomy that such a woman was to be stoned to death, but the same sentence was also to be applied to the man. There has been much speculation of reasons why the man was absent; one theory was that the situation emphasizes the faults of women and the blame for sexual sins rests with them. The Pharisees and Scribes were determined to discredit Jesus by putting him on “the horns of a dilemma.” If Jesus agreed with the Mosaic prescription, He a faithful Jew and rabbi, might satisfy the religious leaders. If He excused the woman He’d have the empathy of the many in the crowd. . but broken the Law. The Scribes/Pharisees thought they had Jesus cornered. . .But what a twist. . .His opponents thought no matter which way he turned. . .he’d fail the test and they would triumph.
But then, an extraordinary action: While this shouting and arguing ensued, Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. What was he doing. . .writing what , , but they were excited, overwrought and continued asking Him. . .to bring charges against him. Jesus then straightened up and said to those pressing Him: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jesus recognized the arrogance and hypocricy of the men and recommended that they be self-reflective. Rather than publicly humiliating the woman these men should turn the light on themselves
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. . .I imagine the woman, too, shamed, worried, looking down. . .what was he writing (some scholars guess. . .it was the sins of those accusing the woman. . .Saying nothing, he continued writing. . .And in response, they went away, those so determined to confront and charge Jesus . .one by one, beginning with the elders . . .Scripture says: So he was left alone with the woman before him — did the crowd who had come for a teaching also leave. . .it sounds so. . . 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 any more.” Notice, Jesus speaks directly to the woman, treating her with respect . . .a strong message to all of us.
What can we take from this story? Is it a happy ending. . .or do we review our own stories and think of past resolutions broken. . .maybe not put in a circumstance as threatening for the woman, but serious and disappointing when we fall back. But God’s merciful forgiveness is always there, ready to be provided if we ask. There’s also that spirit of self-righteousness that assumes an air of “better than thou” Being forgiving. . .non judgmental. . .’there but for the grace of God. ”Jesustook the opportunity to demonstrate dramatically God is to be the Judge. One of the ends of Prayer is Contrition (Sorrow for our sin and sincere repentance.) Whatever Jesus was writing activated what. . .guilty feelings, sorrow for past deeds . embarrassment to be discovered. . .that compared with the woman standing before them. . .whatever the cause. . .their behavior gives us reason to examine our consciences, confess, perform the penance and move on. We love this scripture story from so many angles as we learn and love the Lord Jesus, as we become familiar with him and his ministry of salvation.
This story has much to teach us. . .in today’s world and among Church going people there are strong attitudes of criticism and judgments. . .especially against women. Pope Francis gave a wonderful line when asked about sexual identity. . .”Who am I to judge?” Jesus shifted that light in this story from the woman to the men –they need to be concerned about sorrow for their sins and misdeeds rather than condemning and judging the behavior of others. We’re called in this Gospel to be merciful to others and understanding of our own shortcomings always working to improve. We extend that feeling to all as we daily express: “. . .and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen”