Daily Inspiration

“Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. 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 committing 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. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” -John 8:1-11
 
Much has been written and contemplated about this Scripture passage. What was Jesus writing in the sand? Was it the sins of those who were ready to throw stones? Jesus was teaching when the Pharisees came prepared to lay a trap, but where did the students go? Did they flee to avoid getting caught up in the snare of the enemy? 
 
Some misconstrue the meaning of this passage, claiming it means that Jesus does not judge and accepts sinful lifestyles. However, a brief phrase at the end sets everything right. Jesus accepts the sinner but does not condone the sin. He requires the sinner to separate herself from that which separates her from God.   
 
In the confessional, it is not the priest but Christ Himself who is ready to accept our repentance. If we expect mercy from Christ, then we must first be willing to show the same mercy to others and drop the stone from our hand. He's not there to accept the sinful lifestyle; He is there to rescue His lost sheep from the wolves. The key to it all is to follow His command and strive to, ‘Go and sin no more.’

Saint Juliana of Mont Cornillon, pray for us.
 
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Jesus, I trust in you.