Reflection: Let anyone among you who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her.

In the Gospel of John, we see a woman who was caught in adultery brought to Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees, surrounded by a crowd. Imagine her humiliation!

"Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to Him, 'Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. Now, in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?' They said this to test Him so that they could have some charge to bring against Him." John 8:3-6

Place yourself in the scene and imagine you are the woman. The crowd is shouting names at you and taunting you. The scribes, Pharisees and the crowd condemn you. You are terrified and ashamed. Then you see Jesus writing on the ground and you hear Jesus speak:

"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7

Jesus bent down again and wrote on the ground. Beginning with the elders, one by one, the crowd went away. You are alone with Jesus and He asks you where they are. He asks you if anyone condemned you. You are trembling as you say, "No one, sir."

"Then Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.'" John 8:11

I recall a priest reflecting on this Gospel saying:

Love the sinner; hate the sin. Do not look at the sins of others as the scribes and Pharisees did. Look within and purify your own heart of sin. Love the sinner; hate the sin. Do not condemn yourself. Turn to Jesus who is waiting for you. He does not condemn you. He loves you and He desires to forgive you and to pour out His mercy upon you. Then he tells you to sin no more.

You lift up your head and His eyes meet your eyes. Love and Mercy pierce your heart. Jesus gazes at you with great love. Jesus does not accuse you. He tells you to go and sin no more.

Jesus does not condemn you. He loves and forgives you. This is what confession is!  Confession is about healing and mercy, not just about a list of sins. Jesus, through the priest, has come to heal you, not condemn you. How great is the Mercy of God!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His Mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:1

O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a Fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You.  Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Draw close to Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He is waiting for you. He will receive you with open arms and He will pour out His love, forgiveness and mercy upon you. 

"The assembly condemned Susanna to death: But Susanna cried aloud: 'O eternal God, You know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be; You know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things with which these wicked men have charged me.' The Lord heard her prayer." Daniel 13:42-44

The Lord always hears your prayers. No matter what happens in your life, everything is under God's Providence. Stay close to the Lord in the Sacraments. Trust in Him.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy for us. 

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.