Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
When I read the daily news, I am saddened by the name calling, finger pointing, and general hatred that I see among people in our city, our nation, and throughout the world. After reading today’s scripture, I was again struck by Jesus’ words- “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” I know that I can also get caught up in making judgments and blaming others. I believe that Jesus is calling me (and all Christians) to put down our stones! Instead of placing blame and condemning others, Jesus calls us to reach out our hands in fellowship and respect to even those people that we find most difficult to love and accept. Since we have been forgiven, we must also be willing to love and forgive others. Instead of throwing stones, we need to place our stones on the cornerstone-Jesus- so we can begin to build the city of God.
I love to reflect on the story of the adulterous woman and Jesus. Despite His recognition that the scribes and Pharisees were trying to test Him, Jesus does not lash out in judgment. He does not allow their trickery to provoke Him into anger and frustration. I often wonder what Jesus was writing in the dirt. Maybe He was writing the commandments about loving God and neighbor. Maybe Jesus was writing the words mercy and forgiveness. In the very simple action of pausing and writing, He allows the wisdom and love of His Spirit to control the situation. When He rises, He does not condemn the Pharisees and Scribes, but only reminds them that they are also sinners and are in need of God’s mercy and redemption. No anger, no pointing fingers, no name calling, but only a call to look at their own lives before placing another one’s life in condemnation.
The fate of the adulterous woman also is a great point of reflection. Jesus through His gentle and peaceful manner provides this woman a reprieve from being stoned. He has not only saved her life, but He provides a path for her to begin a new life because of His mercy and forgiveness. He does not condemn, but offers her redemption through her encounter with Him. We never know what becomes of this woman, but when I place myself in the position of the adulterous woman, I think that my outlook on life would be transformed into a whole new way of thinking. Having faced the real possibility of death and then being saved would be cause for great joy and a reason to reconsider how I want to live the rest of my life. I believe that this is what Jesus offers to each of us through our encounters with Him and His mercy.
The most challenging part of this story is trying to take Jesus’ approach to others into our daily lives. There are times in the course of my day that I meet with people who I find to be abrasive, spiteful, filled with hate, and having very different views on life and the world. It is these very people that Jesus calls me to reach out and love even in our differences. I know (and have experienced) that many of these individuals will not respond with like-wise love and respect. Even though they may respond with anger or bitterness, I am called to be like Jesus- peaceful, merciful, and full of compassion. To live this way is very challenging! It is only with the grace of the Spirit that we can begin to be true disciples of Jesus and live this radical lifestyle. Our daily prayer is the means to receive the Spirit who gives us this strength.
Living like Jesus also requires that we have a way to stay focused on Him and His teachings. Just like Jesus writing in the sand, we must keep God’s word present in our minds, so we can allow His commandments and teachings to be the basis for how we respond. Through regular reading and reflection on scripture, we can become more familiar with Jesus and how He is calling us to live. Memorizing several verses may be a great tool to aid us with wisdom and courage when we are faced with a challenging situation.
Jesus wants there to be peace and forgiveness in our city, our nation and the world. He sends us out to begin His work through the way we live our lives. Knowing that we are forgiven sinners, we are called to put down our stones, and offer the same forgiveness and mercy to those around us. Through God’s grace and His Spirit, may we use our stones to be a part of building His holy city- the New Jerusalem.
"Heavenly Father, You show us the fullness of mercy through Your Son Jesus. May we allow Your Spirit to fill us, so we too can share Your mercy with the world. May our lives be beacons of peace to the world, and may all we do give You the glory! We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen"
Marylynn Herchline