In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us that no one is without sin and that we should not be so quick to judge others before taking a closer look at ourselves.
Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and our minds. Fill us with your peace, love, and understanding. Help us to hear God's message today and recognize His voice in our daily activities. Amen
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.”
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkz1DuRKqCE (attributed to Catholic Kids media)
In the Gospel reading this week, a woman who has committed a terrible sin is brought to Jesus. Those who bring her to Jesus expect him to think that this sin is so big that it cannot be forgiven. They believe that this woman should be punished with death.
Ask: What does Jesus say to the people who have accused the woman caught in adultery? (that the person with no sin should throw the first stone) What do the accusers and the crowds do? (They all walk away.) What does Jesus say to the woman? (that he does not condemn her; that she should go and not sin anymore)
Say: Sometimes when we look at other people, and sometimes even when we look at ourselves, we notice every fault, seeing others and ourselves as if through a magnifying glass. What would be different if we looked at ourselves and others using this? Hold up the mirror.
Say: We know that God really knows us. He knows everything about us. Yet Jesus shows us that God doesn't look at us as with a magnifying glass; he doesn't highlight our faults and our sins. God sees each of us completely and really, as we might see ourselves in a mirror. God forgives our sins so that we can become the people he wants us to be.
Conclude in prayer by thanking God for the gift of his mercy and forgiveness. Pray together the Act of Contrition or the Act of Hope.
Father in heaven, for the sake of bringing others closer to you, we give you today, all that we think and do and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen
