GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John 8:1-11

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.”

The Word of the Lord

 

I do not condemn you.

So often in our marriage we feel entitled to judge and condemn our spouse when they sin, especially when we are the ones who suffer the consequences. Faced with the judgement and condemnation of the Pharisees toward that woman—who had indeed acted wrongly—Jesus reminds them of their own sin, the impurity of their own hearts, which they must consider before condemning others. There is only one judgement permitted to us: the judgement of our own soul when, before God, we compare it with His purity. Only then will we clearly see how much we ourselves must purify in order to embrace Love.

He also reminds us that condemnation prevents a person’s restoration. Jesus abhors sin, but He loves the sinner deeply. This is why He sends the woman away with the words: “Go, and sin no more.” He desires her purity; He desires the salvation of all His people, and He will continue to wait for us to turn away from sin until the very last day of our lives.

 

Applied to married life:

Laura: Peter, at the beach today you couldn’t stop looking at the girls next to us. What a lack of respect… It really hurt me.

Peter: Me? Not at all! You’re imagining things.

Laura: But even they were laughing at how mesmerised you were. Don’t talk to me, and don’t even think about coming near me.

(Laura and Peter spent several days barely speaking to each other.)

Laura: Peter, I’ve been praying about the anger I felt. Although what you did wasn’t right, I can see that I also have many faults that hurt you. I don’t want us to stay distant.

Peter: Laura, you were right, and I really struggle not to fall into that temptation. I’ve already been to confession, and I’m glad you’re willing to forgive me too. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to overcome this weakness.

Laura: Look, the Gospel says: “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.”

Peter: Well, I was thinking of starting with something a bit less drastic — I wouldn’t look very good with one eye. How about next time we go to the beach, we sit in the grandparents’ area? That’ll help me while I work on this with my spiritual director.

Mother,

May the only judgement we make be that of our own heart, so that we may see what we must purify. Praised be God, who frees us from our sin.