Without Sin – Reflection on John 8:1-11
Before you get visibly upset with someone else, do you take a moment to search within your heart? Do you reflect on those times you did something relativity comparable? I usually find something when I take the time and am honest with myself. Many are unresolved or have sufficient remorse, so I can never claim I am without sin. By Jesus silently writing on the ground, Jesus gave the scribes and Pharisees time to comprehend the critical aspects of sin resolution. Unlike them, we can realize that simply walking away is incomplete, as restoration is required. Forgiveness as part of restoration is essential to our processes despite the difficulty. Approaching nearly seven decades of life, I have been noticing the art of forgiving and forgetting as part of “loving neighbor” seems to be slipping away. Lord, in your depth of compassion, rain down the necessary graces on those with hardened hearts who do not forgive. Amen
The Adulterous Woman – Christ Writing upon the Ground by James Tissot
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
John 8:1-11 – Scripture*
1 while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 8:1-11 Reflection – Without Sin.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 8 passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Without Sin