April 7th

Post date: Apr 08, 2019 10:24:19 PM

April 7, 2019 Homily by Fr. Karl Schray

While the Gospel story appears to be an honest attempt

by some of the scribes and Pharisees to pursue justice,

it is really another trap set by Jesus’ enemies to ensnare him.

Adultery wasn’t their focus, if so, they would have dragged the man out too.

If Jesus let them throw stones at the woman,

his reputation as one who spoke very eloquently of God’s mercy

would have been severely damaged.

On the other hand, if Jesus told them to let her go,

his credibility as a faithful Rabbi would be at stake.

Jesus’ opponents must have felt very secure about their trap.

But Jesus outsmarts them by turning the focus on them and their sins.

Jesus bends down and writes on the ground. But they kept asking him:

“What should we do?”

Jesus said, “Let the one among you who is without sin

be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again,

He wrote in the sand, suggesting he wrote the sins of the accusers.

They came to Jesus only aware of the woman’s sins; they go away

aware of their own sins. Jesus calls the accusers to conversion also.

What are we going to do with our stone?

Finally, Jesus is left with the woman. Commenting on this story,

St. Augustine writes, “Only two are left: misery and mercy.”

The woman experiences God’s mercy and love. Then Jesus exhorts her:

“Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”

Do you have a difficult time forgiving yourself of past, confessed sins?

Do you have difficulty in letting go of the past?

Trust our Lord. He forgave you completely.

He also said to us, ‘go in peace and avoid that sin in the future.’

He does not let you remember the past to torment you

but for you to learn from it and perhaps help someone in the future.

One day a mother came to plead with Napoleon for her son’s life.

The young man had committed a serious crime—

and justice demanded his death.

The emperor was determined to ensure that justice would be done.

But the mother insisted:

She said, I have come to ask for mercy not for justice.’

Napoleon answered, “But he does not deserve mercy.”

The mother responded, ‘It would not be mercy if he deserved it.’

Napoleon said, “So be it, I will have mercy on him.”

Mercy is pure gift. It is something we all need,

and therefore, something we must be ready to extend to others.

Again, what are you and I going to do with our stone?

I hope. as Jesus taught, we drop it.