Reflections on Scripture | Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
John 8:1-11

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, 
and all the people started coming to him, 
and he sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman 
who had been caught in adultery 
and made her stand in the middle.
They said to him,
“Teacher, this woman was caught 
in the very act of committing adultery.
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.
So what do you say?”
They said this to test him,
so that they could have some charge to bring against him.
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him,
he straightened up and said to them,
“Let the one among you who is without sin 
be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one,
beginning with the elders.
So he was left alone with the woman before him.
Then 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.”

Reflection

This story is very important for us to understand who Jesus is. He’s very unlike the religion at that time, which was interested in condemning people for their sins, even taking life away from them if they sinned. No, Jesus is interested in revealing to someone their sin and the genius of this reading, the way Jesus worked is that it's exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

So not only does he not condemn the woman, but he opens the eyes of those who are sinning. It's the power of forgiveness, and we need to follow it.

The Closing prayer

Father, please bless us with a gift that is the heart of your ministry. Help us to grow a forgiving heart and only take joy in opening people's minds to who they are, never to condemn who they are. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

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Kyle Cross