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Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11
Jesus is Behaving Very Badly today. He's not doing what he's supposed to do. He doesn't fall
into the religious hypocrites' trap. He turns it upon their heads, scribbling seemingly
thoughtlessly on the ground, then looking up and saying, "Let the man among you who has no sin
be the first to cast a stone at her."
One has to wonder where the adulterer in this picture was, but in the meantime, the adulteress is
standing there, alone with Jesus. Everybody else is gone. Jesus sends the woman away with the
admonition: go and sin no more.
Paul paints a vivid word picture for us of his commitment to the Gospel. His justice comes from
God. He sees the power that comes from the Resurrection and understands that sharing in the
life of Christ means sharing in his death, as well as his Resurrection. He tells us of the
importance of perseverence, right to the very last breath. These teachings are fraught with
meaning for all who work for justice and peace.
Both Paul and Isaiah discuss the healing of memories. "Remember not the events of the past"
and "I give no thought to what lies behind" -- each of these men intimately knows the troubling
power of bad memories, and the healing goodness of hope and faith in God.
Those who would judge another must first look to themselves, and do so through the justice of
God. And in that self-examination, motivated and animated by faith in God, we understand more
about where we are going and what we are doing along the way. To work for peace and justice
and solidarity, one must be peaceful and just and live in solidarity with the poor and rejected.
+ For all those who are having stones thrown at them, that they will also hear the words of Jesus,
we pray to the Lord.
+ Go to mass today and be in communion with your sisters and brothers, as well as the Lord.
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