WORD ALIVE

There’s an amusing story in today’s gospel on the adulterous woman. When Jesus said in defense of the woman against her accusers: “He who has no sin among you let him cast the first stone,” there was a cold silence. The silence was broken when a stone was thrown in the direction of the woman.

Jesus looked up on the hill and his face turned red. It was his mother who did it. Jesus smiling, said, “Mama, you’re not included here!”  Indeed, Mary was not included because of all creatures, she was without the stain of sin.

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On the adulterous woman who was “caught in the very act of adultery,” how did  the sanctimonious accusers manage to catch her?  They must have been a bunch of “peeping Toms.”

Moreover, the question comes to mind: “Why is it that only the woman was condemned? Where’s the man!” Isn’t that a glaring gender discrimination and a blatant injustice?

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The legal experts and pious religious leaders challenged Jesus to hand down his verdict. The truth of the matter is that it was a well-laid-out trap.

Whichever opinion he offered, he would be caught in the dilemma. If he recommended leniency, he would break the law of Moses which meted death by stoning to such public sinners. If he acceded to the Mosaic law of death penalty, he would be branded as a double-talking teacher who preached forgiveness but did not practice it.

The scribes and Pharisees relished the thought that they would at last snare Jesus in their trap. But knowing their wicked intention, Jesus did not say a word. 

Instead, he stooped down and scribbled on the ground with his finger. (Incidentally, this is the first recorded instance that our Lord ever wrote).

It was a face-saving device for her tormentors to “get lost” as the Lord challenged them: “He who has no sin among you let him cast the first stone.”

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One important lesson we can learn from the gospel story concerns judging others. Deep inside we may, indeed, condemn the way the scribes and Pharisees treated the poor woman in the gospel but are we not much different than they are at times? 

For instance, we are guilty of pharisaism when we look down on “public” sinners (‘mababang uri’) or talk about the faults of others, or about broken marriages of relatives and neighbors. Subconsciously, we pat our back and say, “Thank God I'm not like them.”

Another lesson is the hope and joy that it is an understanding God who will judge us eventually and not one of our fellow human beings who are much too quick to condemn.

Finally, God’s infinite mercy should not induce us to be indifferent or careless in committing sin. 

Since God is so kind and forgiving, this should not be a “license” to go on committing sins. Remember Christ’s words to the woman: “Woman, where are they?” She replied, “No one, sir.” 

Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more” (Jn 8,11). Jesus’ words should make us realize the need for sincere repentance, to which we are called — especially in this season of Lent.

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‘7 Last Words.’ The SVD Mission Communications Foundation, Inc. will be telecast on ABS-CBN or Kapamilya Channel the “7 Last Words” on Good Friday, April 18 at 12 noon-3 p.m. Join us at the Divine Word Shrine in Christ the King Seminary, E. Rodriguez Blvd., QC. It will be shown live.

We sent out solicitation letters for advertisement placements and donations for the TV program. May we hear from you? (Email: [email protected].)