Reflection From

Fr. John

April 6, 2025

Jesus would have made a great trial lawyer. He never lost an argument and often turned the accusations of His accusers back on them. This is seen clearly in this week’s Gospel showing the trial of a woman caught in the act of committing adultery. In an attempt to accuse and trick Jesus, the scribes and the Pharisees place before Him a woman caught in the very act of committing adultery. They ask Him if it is lawful to stone her.

According to the law of Moses, this was the prescribed punishment at the time. The question was used as a ploy by the Pharisees because no matter which way Jesus answered, either yes or no, He would face consequences. If Jesus sided with the law of Moses, He would be ignoring Roman law which didn’t allow the Jewish authorities the right to capital punishment. If Jesus chose not to put her to death, He would be ignoring the law of Moses. Despite the Pharisees' clever scheme, Jesus doesn’t take the bait. When pressed for an answer, Jesus doesn’t go along with the mentality of the mob or the emotions of the crowd, rather in an unprecedented move, He bends down and begins to write on the ground.

This must have been very strange for everyone present. People must have asked, “What is He doing?” We don’t know exactly what Jesus was writing on the ground, however, it is surmised by the early Church fathers that Christ was writing the sins of those who were accusing the woman. Through this simple action, Christ defused the anger of the Pharisees and diverted the malice of the crowds. He doesn’t immediately respond to their pressing question and turns their question back on them with His reply. In a brilliant maneuver and with the wisdom of God, Jesus gives His response, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

Christ doesn’t accuse the woman nor does He condemn those who brought her to Him. Instead, He brings them to acknowledge their own sinfulness. They recognize that they are no different or superior to the woman who they are accusing. There is no one without sin, except of course the one who would be condemned, Jesus Himself. None of those making the accusations were in a position to condemn the woman. The Gospel writer mentions, “And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders.” (John 8:9)

Like those in the Gospel for this week, we are all sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. This Gospel passage and the Gospel passage of the Prodigal Son from last week, demonstrate to us that there is no limit to God’s love and forgiveness. May we not take the gift of His forgiveness for granted, and may we never tire of approaching Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially this Lent.

Father John

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