LOVE AND MERCY
"Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore." Jn. 8:1-11
Lent is a time of preparation and a time when we are called to create a sense of urgency in our effort to grow in our faith. We attempt to pray, fast, and serve throughout the season with a heighten sense of purpose. But towards the end of the season, we realize that our efforts such as fasting from sweets, social media or TV are not going to bring us what we need. Ultimately, what we need is salvation. What we need is God’s love and mercy. We realize that our human weakness is what ultimately calls us to yearn for God and his immense love for us.
Today’s gospel, reminds us of our desire and need for God’s love and mercy. I can relate to the woman being brought to Jesus for judgement by the Pharisees. I can imagine her anxiety, fear and general uneasiness. I can imagine how she feels by her inability to control the situation and just let herself be put in God’s hands. I can imagine her surprised and puzzled look when she hears Jesus say, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." I can imagine the joy and immense gratitude she must have felt when she sees her accusers leave one by one to leave her alone with Jesus.
The woman in today’s gospel essentially experienced the sacrament of reconciliation. While I was imagining myself in this scene, I realized that I experience similar feelings when I prepare for confession. I was reminded of a time in my life where I just didn’t go to confession. I didn’t want to face my own weaknesses and my own need for salvation.
The reminder that Jesus is the greatest representation of God’s immense and everlasting love for us is one of the beautiful gifts of the season. It is a moment where we can sit in awe of God’s greatness.
Let us open our hearts to the depths of Jesus’ mercy and God’s everlasting love for us. Do you remember a time where you were seeking forgiveness? Have you ever struggled to forgive someone who wronged you? What stopped you from doing so?
Jeanalee Obergfell