ALL HAVE SINNED

REFLECTION FOR FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C*

...If you have not sinned before, be the first to cast a stone on her. (John 8:7)

R1: Isaiah 43: 16-21

R2: Phil 3:8-14

Gospel: John 8:1-11

The readings of today are full of surprises. In the first reading God promises to go extra mile to bring about of deliverance. In the second reading, Paul tells us that to posses Christ is the greatest of all possessions. In the gospel reading, the adulterous woman receives forgiveness even though the law and the people had condemned her. Her story represents our own story.  These readings remind us of the following: 

1. The Forgotten:

 ...they brought the woman to Jesus and said, “Sir, we caught this woman committing adultery, and the law states that such a person deserves death by stoning. What do you think?” (John 8:4-5).

The action of these Pharisees and scribes depicts self-righteousness. They saw themselves as perfect and without sin. With stones in their hands they made themselves masters, judges ready to kill, after judging and condemning the woman. They forgot as well as we do that it is not our duty to determine who is righteous or not, who is to be condemned or not, but God’s.  How can we overcome the dangers of self-righteousness? 

Some years ago, when I was in primary four, our teacher taught us an important and unforgettable life lesson. She told us to point at one another in the class, which we did. She asked, “Do you discover anything as you are pointing at your friend?”  We all answered, No. She said, three of your fingers are pointing at you. Can you notice that? We all looked at our pointed fingers and answered, yes.  Then, she gave us the life lesson; “while you observe people’s weakness and failures, pay more attention on your own weaknesses and mistakes than that of others that is the only way to be great and better in the future.” So my friends let us not be too quick to look for people’s fault and forget our own because all of us have the stain of sin in us, no one is worthy. God is the only judge.

*2. The Unimaginable:*

“...neither will I condemn you, go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

In the first reading of today, the prophet Isaiah prophesies God’s deliverance of his people in the face of danger, where He will forget the past and make a new way to bring about the deliverance. This is exemplified in the experience of this adulterous woman whom the law and the people condemn and who Jesus’ presence brought about change and wholeness.

When we face betrayal, rejection and condemnation, it is only Jesus that can make things better. His love is immeasurable and unconditional; His forgiveness is extensive and surpasses human imagination. He does not desire the death or destruction of a sinner.  His mercy surpasses even the weakness of our sins. 

However, when God forgives, he gives us a warning, “Go and sin no more.” That means, we should not make mockery of God’s forgiveness by constant repetition of a particular sin since we know he will always forgive us. Making effort to improve is an essential part of forgiveness and this gives meaning to repentance. 

*3. The Supreme Advantage:*

 Knowing Jesus is the supreme advantage. St Paul in the second reading makes this clear, and nothing can outweigh this supreme advantage (Phil 3:8).

The supreme advantage is that when all the men who dragged this woman to Jesus with stones in their hands disappeared, it was only Jesus that remained with the woman. In the same way, when all our friends have condemned us, when the world rejects us, we are left alone with our God. It becomes very important therefore that we make the fundamental choice, the choice seeking Christ, finding him, of following him and remaining with him for he is our greatest friend and redeemer. If we find Jesus, when we are left with our misery like the woman, Christ gives us mercy.

Dear friends, there are three important things we must not forget today. (I). Let us avoid the attitude of the Pharisees who are devoid of humility, pointing at others and condemning them without remembering our own sins. (ii). Let us make effort to repent of our sins and not take for granted God’s forgiveness by repeating and making a habit, a particular sin. (iii). Let us make the choice of Jesus who will never abandon or condemn us even when all our friends do.

Reflection by

Fr Chukwuemeka Livinus V. SMMM