Today’s Gospel has three parts. The first is Jesus’ teaching is interrupted by the Pharisees and scribes who bring in a woman caught in adultery. Then they pose the question: should they stone the woman according to the law? (John 8:5). But their intent is not to get to the truth. They do not want to know about mercy or justice. Rather, they are concerned about getting evidence to attack Jesus – to bring against Him some sort of charge (v.6).
The second part is Jesus reveals the truth by bending down and writing. Commentators have noted the significance of Jesus writing for God’s finger writes the Ten Commandments. St Augustine reflects God wrote the Ten Commandments in stone, reflecting how the Law was written on the stoney hearts of the Israelites. But now, Jesus writes on the ground. Like a farmer sowing seed, He writes the law in the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees hoping it will bear the fruit of repentance (Tractate 33 on the Gospel of John, no. 5).
Hence, Jesus’ response is powerful. “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). The accusers came to find a lie; He comes to tell the truth. Jesus’ response throws the accusers into their own consciences where man “is alone with God Whose voice echoes in his depths” (Gaudium et Spes, no. 16). The law of God is written in our hearts. It is in our conscience where we judge ourselves.
The third part is the resolution. St Augustine writes in his Confessions that men love the truth when it affirms them, but hate the truth when it rebukes them (10.23.34). The accusers’ hearts harden, and so they leave. But what of the adulterous woman? She is likely shocked, which is why Jesus speaks to her. He does not whitewash her sin or tell her she did nothing wrong. He simply asks if anyone has condemned her, to which she says “no” (John 8:10-11). In response, the Lord Jesus restores the adulterous woman to life by not condemning her, and commands her not to sin any more. He frees her, commanding her to remain free.
Sin weighs us down like stone. But that is why we have the Sacrament of Penance. The Lord Jesus wants us to live in the truth; He desires to speak “I absolve you from your sins” through His priests. But it is not easy to confess our sins. We feel unworthy, shameful, and angry. But the Lord comes to free us, not to enslave us. He wants to open our mouths with laughter, and to give our tongues songs of joy (Psalm 126:2). For, in the Sacrament of Penance, we encounter the Lord of life, who, since that glorious Easter Morn, has forever prevailed against the stone of sin.
Joseph Yuson – St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta
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