GO, AND FROM NOW ON SIN NO MORE

V SUNDAY OF LENT - Jn 8:1-11

Last week, we heard Jesus telling the story of the father with two children (mostly known as the parable of the prodigal son). It is a nice story and we can question ourselves about its practical implications. In this Sunday’s gospel, we have a real story - the story of the woman caught in adultery, being judged and condemned by the Pharisees and the scribes, who behave like the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son. Jesus with his mercy and compassion refuses to condemn her and gives her the opportunity to repent and to convert. By doing so, he shows the Father (God)’s mercy in action.

As we read this passage (or hear it being read - Jn 8:1-11), we are called to reflect upon it and see the implications for our lives.

1. Adultery is an infidelity which many times destroys the relationship in marriage. In ancient times and in many traditional cultures, it was considered a crime and many times it was punished with death. In our modern societies, that is unthinkable; however, we need to be aware that it is no so in all cultures, even today. In the Law of Moses, the cultural practice of punishing adultery with death is presented as God's law: "If a man commits adultery with his neighbour's wife, an adulterer and an adulteress shall be punished with death." (Leviticus 20:10, see also Dt 22: 22-24). 
2. Hearing the passage of the woman caught red-handed, we should be surprised that the woman was arrested alone and an obvious question comes to mind: what happened to the man who was with her? How did they allow him to get away? The willingness to punish the woman alone indicates serious discrimination, even against the letter of the law, which imposed the same punishment on both of them. In fact, in such situations, the weak and the poor are the ones who suffer, while the rich and the powerful manage to get away. We may remember the case of Judah (Gn 38:24) and the case of David who committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11,4). 
3. The law plays an indispensable role in society, regulating human behaviour and facilitating the establishment of order and peace. However, when the law becomes absolute, it crushes the weak and the vulnerable, presenting a vengeful dimension over those who break it. The law does not contemplate the possibility of reform and conversion. And those who defend the law at all costs, thinking of themselves as righteous and just, end up doing or accepting summary executions and even mob justice which easily leads to lynchings, forgetting that they are sinners as well. 
4. Jesus showed towards the woman the love, affection, compassion and mercy of the Father who welcomed the returning son. We may get the idea that for Jesus "anything goes”, but it is not so since Jesus called her to conversion. Jesus knew that to feel loved, forgiven, accepted and recognised, gives the possibility of finding a new direction, of changing course and starting anew. Jesus refused to condemn the woman, giving her a second opportunity, the opportunity to redeem herself. We are human, and we go easily astray. However, we must be prepared to offer and to receive forgiveness, making reconciliation possible.