Today we have a dramatic Gospel; just picture this moment for this woman caught in her sin and shame. First, she is caught in the act of adultery and exposed as a sinner. Then as if that was not enough, the teachers of the law want to put this woman to death by stoning her. However, they also see this severe sentence as an opportunity to test Jesus and see if he really will do as the law commands, even to the bitter and ugly end. Yet, Jesus does something unexpected and turns the question around. He says, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” No one dares to do such a thing because they know that deep in their hearts, they are sinners, as are we.
But let’s just focus on the woman for a moment. She sins, then is exposed publicly and put on trial – God’s justice is displayed. This woman sinned, so she must die. This verdict seems like an extraordinarily harsh reality; the moment you mess up, it is over. Yet, before we judge the Old Testament law, let us understand what sin does to a person. When we sin, we harm others, God but primarily ourselves. God’s justice is not for Him but for us. He is not a bloodthirsty tyrant looking for vengeance. On the contrary, He was making sin understandable for the Israelites. He does not want to stone every sinner, yet He needs to show the actual consequence of sin: death. Sin, by its own nature, destroys our communion with God. It kills us spiritually.
Now let’s return to the Gospel passage. Jesus has before Him a dead woman, spiritually and soon to be physically. What does Jesus do? He disturbs the ground. He buries her sin. Then He says, “Let him among you is without sin cast the first stone.” Let him, who does not deserve this same tragic end, be the first to condemn this woman. They all leave, starting with those who have been around long enough to know their weakness. Jesus writes on the ground again; He closes the shallow grave over her sin and puts them to rest. He separates the woman from her death, forgives her, and tells her to never sin again. Yet, the price of the sin still needed to be paid. When the woman left, she did not realize that Jesus was going to pay that bill for her actions and indeed, He did on the cross.
Christ does the same for us; he will bury our sins and redeem us in His death if we let Him. The only thing we must do is give Him our sins in Confession. Let Him take our sin to the grave this Good Friday in His passions. This reality is the great mystery of our faith and our history itself. So, I ask you, will we give Him our sins in repentance, or will we cast stones?
Andre Boudreau – St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta
Fot. Artem Kniaz/Unsplash.com