REFLECTIONS

All through Scripture, God frees people from impossible situations, making things new again. He frees the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, he heals the blind, the lame and the deaf, and he brings Lazarus back to life. And in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives new life to a desperate woman. Some Pharisees bring her to him, saying, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in a terrible act of sin. The Law of Moses says she should be punished by stoning. What do you say?’ These men aren’t interested in her; they only want to trap Jesus. But Jesus knows what they’re up to. He says that whoever is without sin should throw the first stone. They must have felt ashamed, because they all leave, one by one. In the end, Jesus forgives the woman and says, ‘Go, and from now on don’t sin anymore.’ She must have been overjoyed, because she, too, is given new life. Today, so many people feel trapped by sadness, disappointment, sin and fear. They can’t move forward. But they forget that God works wonders with broken people. God does amazing things when we open ourselves up to him. Furthermore, Jesus is always willing to forgive us. However, He also expects from each one to put the means in order to live a new life: Go and from now on do not sin anymore! (deaconpeter.org)