The others went to their houses,
but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Very early in the morning, he came again
to the temple, and people came to him. He sat down, and taught them. The
scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in
front of him, they said, “Teacher, we caught this woman in the very act of
adultery. In our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. What then do you
say about her?” They said this to trap him that they might have a charge to
bring against him.
Jesus stooped down, and wrote on
the ground with his finger. When they continued asking him, he looked up and
said to them, “Let the one without sin among you throw the first stone.” Again
he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.
When they heard it, being
convicted by their conscience, they went out one by one, beginning from the
oldest, until all were gone except Jesus and the woman. Standing up, Jesus said,
“Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?”
She said, “No one, Lord.”
Jesus said, “Neither do I
condemn you. Go your way, and sin no more.”
Reflection
That this woman was “caught
in the act” means the man should have been subject to stoning as well according
to the law of Moses. Jesus turns the table on his accusers by making them face
their hypocrisy. What is the worst injustice you have experienced? How did you
react? How do you react to injustice suffered by others?
Prayer: Deliver me from
hypocrisy, Lord, and give me the boldness to confront those who bully others.
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