THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR C.
7TH APRIL 2019
Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11.
The woman accused of adultery, brought before Jesus Christ by the Scribes and Pharisees, was given a second chance. He used the opportunity to demonstrate the beauty of forgiveness. It is the character of the Kingdom of God the reconcile humanity not by judging but by considering the common heritage in God’s love. The death of a sinner is never pleasing to God. He rejoices in the repentance of a sinner.
Jesus Christ reminded the crowd armed with stones to kill the woman accused of adultery that they too deserve to die due to their sins. ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Sin presupposes punishment according to the law of Moses. But the kingdom of God is about love and reconciliation. It offers a better option not to condone sin, but to expel the mechanism responsible for sin. Punishment is mere deterrence! It promotes witch-hunting. Forgiveness expels any form of witch-hunt and revenge.
Jesus’ instruction to the woman thus saved from death is not to repeat the mistakes that brought her shame. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin anymore.’ It certain that a life is saved and love is extended. This is the kingdom of God!
Anthony Ekpunobi, CM.
