Gospel
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak he appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them.
The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for something to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin anymore.’
(John 8:1–11)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- Pilgrims would come to Jerusalem for the great festivals, and those who could not find lodging in the city often stayed the night on the Mount of Olives, just outside the city gates.
- On the Mount of Olives is a garden area called Gethsemane, which means ‘oil press’ in Hebrew.
- The Mount of Olives offered a spectacular view of the temple.
- The death penalty for adultery is stipulated in both Leviticus (20:10) and Deuteronomy (22:22); however, both these texts clarify that both parties should be punished. In the current text, the man is missing.
Exploring the Word
This gospel combines themes that have previously emerged during Lent: God's goodness and mercy and the need for repentance. Understanding the women in this story is an interesting exercise. The religious authorities drag her into the spotlight as a way to test Jesus. In the early part of the encounter, Jesus neither looks at the woman nor acknowledges her presence; instead, he addresses his response to the crowd and to the scribes and Pharisees. It is only after they left the scene in shame that Jesus turns his attention to the woman and establishes personal contact with her, confirming that she is a human person and not a ‘thing’ to test him. He addresses her as ‘Woman’, and the intimacy of the term echoes that of the term he uses to address his mother (John 2:4, John 19:26). Jesus neither condemns nor condones; he simply accepts the woman as she is and invites her to a new life. It is acceptance and love that allow repentance and change to occur in others.
- Have you ever been unconditionally loved and accepted by another?
- Who are the people in your own life whom you love and accept unconditionally?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- Have you ever been too quick to judge and condemn others?
- Has someone ever forgiven you for an offence you committed against them? How did it make you feel?
- The text does not tell us what Jesus wrote on the ground. What might it have been?
- Are there times or situations in which you find yourself being judgmental or self-righteous? What is the best way to correct this attitude? Has anyone ever condemned you? How did it make you feel? Share your reflections.
- This week, you could offer support to people who find themselves on the outside.
- Use the psalm response as your prayer this week:
The Lord has done great things for us;
we are filled with joy.
Sharing the tradition
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
Last week, you explored different understandings of sin. Turning away from sin requires a conversion of the heart (CCC, §1430):
Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil … At the same time, it entails the desire and resolution to change one’s life, with hope in God’s mercy and trust in the help of his grace.
(CCC, §1431)
- What does it mean to orient our whole lives towards God?
Baptism is the principal place for the first and fundamental conversion. It is by faith in the Gospel and by Baptism that one renounces evil and gains salvation, that is the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of new life.
(CCC, §1427)
- As the elect approach their baptism or reception, how do they feel about the new orientation of their lives?
Being a Christian demands constant re-conversion. We often fail in terms of fulfilling the promise of our new lives, so we must have many experiences of conversion re-orient ourselves towards God again.
- You could discuss the conversion experiences of great figures in the Church, such as Paul, Augustine, Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton.
- In what ways does the life of the Church help us continually nourish our orientation towards God?
Symbols and images
The question that the Pharisees asked Jesus was meant to trick him. If he condoned the woman's stoning, then the act would break Roman law; however, if he refused to condone it, then he would be holding religious law in contempt. In and through Jesus' response, God is offering a new way. He does not condemn the sinner but invites her to leave her past behind and begin a new life. This imagery of forgiveness is consistent throughout the Lenten readings.
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- How does your parish community constantly renew its orientation towards God? Does a pastoral planning team steer this process? What are some suggestions for helping the elect continually renew their orientation towards God in the future?
- You could use some stones and a cross as a focus for prayer. Pray for the ongoing conversion of each of elect. A suitable song could be Return to God (GA 304). Conclude with the prayer of exorcism for the Third Scrutiny in the RCIA at §162A.