Isaiah 43:16-21; Ps. 126; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11
Today the fifth Sunday of Lent, we are gradually coming close to the end of Lent. On the other hand, we are getting close to the Paschal Feast. Letting the past be the past and letting the future be the future. This links our readings today.
In today’s first reading, the Jews in Babylon were depressed with no hope of returning home. Nostalgia has taken over. They look back to the liberation from bondage in Egypt, the manna from heaven, the “good old days.” The Prophet warned them against the past. “Remember not the former things of old.” Have faith in the future “look, Behold, I am doing a new thing…a new way in the desert, new spring of water for the thirsty.” God was not only in their past but also in their future, referring to their return from the exile and a new start. I will make a way in the wilderness and the desert will be full of water to drink – Look at what lies ahead! – what God will do for you – Look with Hope.
In our second reading, Paul knows his past as a persecutor of the Gospel but has been touched by grace and given a new mission as an apostle of that Gospel. He writes, “I give no thought to what lies behind but push on to what is ahead – life on high with Jesus Christ.” Let the past be the past and the future be the future.
In the gospel, the Pharisees brought an adulterous woman to Christ. They thought that would condemn her immediately. They thought he would give them permission to go ahead and stone the woman to death.
Jesus invited them not only to look at the woman but also to look at themselves. – The woman is a mirror – to stone her is to stone themselves. Jesus did not condemn the woman for her conduct but challenged her to begin life afresh – Look at what lies ahead – The mercy of God.
Like the scribes and the Pharisees, we are holding stones of anger, resentment, and bitterness and we want to throw these stones at others. Jesus is telling us we are not without sin, and it only for our good that we drop those stones. Let us drop those stones so that we can hold on to the hand of Jesus and walk in the path of righteousness and peace, so that we can experience the healing love of God’s mercy and compassion.
Fr. Alex Osei
SSC-USA Spiritual Director