Monday
of the 5th Week of Lent
April 7, 2014 8:30am
I have three brief ideas about
these readings today.
First, both stories exhibit
disregard for a woman.
My thought is that we have made
some strides, probably significant strides in respect and fairness for all
members of our society.
But we still have a ways to go in
our treatment of women, immigrants and racial and ethnic minorities.
This is part of Catholic social
teaching.
These readings today bring this
social justice issue to the surface.
Second, notice toward the end of
the gospel, Jesus addresses this woman.
“Woman, where are they?
Has no one condemned you?”
Jesus speaks to her and respects
her as a person.
He does this in a culture that discouraged
a man from talking or even recognizing a woman he does not know.
What Jesus does here is an
excellent reminder to treat all others as persons, as another “you” or another
“me.”
And third, Jesus says to the
accusers of the woman, “Let the one
without sin throw the first stone.”
Then he bends down, casts his
eyes down on the ground, and writes something in the earth.
Could it be that Jesus’ bending
down was to avoid a condemning and judgmental stare at these men?
Could it be that he wanted them
to take responsibility for their behavior without his indicting them?
Could it be that when he says to
the woman, “Neither do I condemn you,”
that he also intended that for these men?
That is how wide and generous his
mercy and compassion is.
So, it seems to me that there is
a lot packed into the Scripture today.
