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Fifth Sunday of Lent
April 3, 2022
Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11
The first three readings invite us to look forward, to leave the past behind, forgive what has happened to us, and walk in the presence of the love of God who is father and mother to us. Are we ready to look ahead?
John tells us: “The scribes and Pharisees brought to [Jesus] a woman who had been caught in ‘sin’ and, putting her in the midst of all, said, ‘Master, this woman has been caught in adultery. Moses, in the law, commanded us to stone her. And you, what do you say?’”
Reflecting on this last passage, I recognize we have not changed very much since the time of Jesús. We continue to think that we do not sin. We feel empowered to judge those close to us and those we do not even know. Sometimes we feel that we know the law, so what we know or say is the absolute truth. Regarding our migrant brothers and sisters, we often reject them forgetting that they are sons and daughters of God. Perhaps it’s because deep down the migrant reminds us of our own vulnerability.
It is time to let go of the stones and open our hands, to take the hand of God and the hands of others. It is time to stop stoning others with our beliefs and fears and to embrace their pain, which is also our pain. Let us embrace our migrant brothers and sisters who long to hear the words Jesus spoke to the woman: “I do not condemn you.”
Reflection
Merciful God, we entrust our past to your mercy, our present to your love, and our future to your providence. Jesus, we ask you for peace, prudence, strength, wisdom and humility.
—Sister Nieves Lidia Ortiz Galván, CSC
