27 March, 2023 | Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Gospel Jn 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:

The gospel explains how Jesus restored a sinful woman by generously pouring out on her His mercy, love and forgiveness. He could see in the woman the seeds of repentance and the potential for conversion. He was slow to judge her because he had a positive outlook towards her. Judgment and condemnation will never heal a sinner instead it will destroy the person. Often times we are quick to judge and pass wrong judgment on others. Instead like Jesus we should see that there is a longing to be good that lies in the heart of each person whom we tend to judge.

Activity: 

Today be generous in your outlook towards others so as not to judge them and condemn them but show much goodness, love and mercy which will allow the person to blossom and to live a renewed life.