Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent - March 30
Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62 John 8:1-20
As we reflected on the passage from John’s Gospel, we had several observations. First, and what cannot go unnoticed, is the mercy and kindness of Jesus toward the accused adulterer. He does not condemn the sinner, but he does condemn the sin and makes clear his expectation: “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
That’s the real battle, right? On one hand, the knowledge that Jesus forgives our sin gives us comfort. On the other hand, we know we shouldn’t sin – that was his direction to the adulterer. As Christians, we are challenged to recognize our sin and do better.
In that regard, our other observation in this passage is on the reaction of the adulterer herself. Note that she does not argue with Jesus or justify her actions. It may be easy to try to justify many, if not all, of our sins (if we try hard enough). In this day in age, that is far too common. As busy parents
of five, something that really sunk in for us as we reflected on this passage is that it’s easy to say to yourself (i.e. justify), “if I had more time I would have done this or been more patient, prayed more, done this, or not done that.”
We are all sinful creatures. How we respond to that sin and approach our sinful nature is what lets Jesus further into our lives and helps our faith grow. This Lenten season, may we be comforted by the love and grace of our Lord, and also refl ect on the reaction of the adulterer and focus on our continuous change and progress.
Q: Today, examine your conscience. Which of your sins have you been justifying to
yourself lately? Ask Jesus for forgiveness, accept his healing words and go, sin no more.
As we reflected on the passage from John’s Gospel, we had several observations. First, and what cannot go unnoticed, is the mercy and kindness of Jesus toward the accused adulterer. He does not condemn the sinner, but he does condemn the sin and makes clear his expectation: “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
That’s the real battle, right? On one hand, the knowledge that Jesus forgives our sin gives us comfort. On the other hand, we know we shouldn’t sin – that was his direction to the adulterer. As Christians, we are challenged to recognize our sin and do better.
In that regard, our other observation in this passage is on the reaction of the adulterer herself. Note that she does not argue with Jesus or justify her actions. It may be easy to try to justify many, if not all, of our sins (if we try hard enough). In this day in age, that is far too common. As busy parents
of five, something that really sunk in for us as we reflected on this passage is that it’s easy to say to yourself (i.e. justify), “if I had more time I would have done this or been more patient, prayed more, done this, or not done that.”
We are all sinful creatures. How we respond to that sin and approach our sinful nature is what lets Jesus further into our lives and helps our faith grow. This Lenten season, may we be comforted by the love and grace of our Lord, and also refl ect on the reaction of the adulterer and focus on our continuous change and progress.
Q: Today, examine your conscience. Which of your sins have you been justifying to
yourself lately? Ask Jesus for forgiveness, accept his healing words and go, sin no more.
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