Law vs. Mercy: Lessons from the Gospel

Greetings on this the Fifth Sunday of Lent
Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6.; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11

A Woman Caught in Adultery

Law is a guide, Mercy is a cure.

The gospel reading today is difficult to traverse in heart and mind. The woman caught in adultery invokes in everyone a different response and instinctual reaction. It is a story that can keep the wonder of grace and mercy ever before our eyes. And to avoid the worst choice – to condemn is to be condemned.

Just prior to the encounter with the mob and the woman, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. It is on the Mount of Olive that some sacrifices were made. It is this mount Jesus Ascended into Heaven and to the same Mount the Messiah will return. In a very real way, this coming down from the Mount and the encounter of these men and the one woman is a recapitulation of the central theme of Jesus’ ministry, salvation. And immediately to the story, the weight of law in comparison to mercy. Which we can conclude, Law is a guide, Mercy is a cure.

Writing (to enroll) in the ground by Jesus is an invocation of the prophet Jeremiah: The rebels shall be enrolled in the netherworld; they have forsaken the LORD, source of living waters (Jer 17:13).

Judgement

1. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?.
2. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
3. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
4. Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
5. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders.

Mercy

6. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
7. She replied, “No one, sir.”
8. Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.
9. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.

Reflection

Jesus comes down from the mount to encounter the human weakness where we declare ‘This one is worse than me’. Jesus responds, then which of you is righteous (in right relation)?

They all walked away. It cannot be over emphasized that the men, if they stoned her, would be enrolled in the netherworld – Hades, Hell. Jesus was trying to SAVE EVERYONE in this story, in the first instance from personal error and the second instance the misapplication of law.

Here then is the problem. How do we read the law and what is the law good for? The Good News of Jesus Christ is that forgiveness and forbearance are higher order principles. The law is perfectly fine to describe what shouldn’t be. But the prescription of resolution has been moved to mercy. The work of knowing the difference is that of the Holy Spirit enlightening us as Jesus did that day.

Personal Reflection

Being merciful is work. Hard work sometimes depending on the degree of offense. But it is Holy work. We will always struggle with the injustices visited upon us. We must learn the way of Jesus guided by the Holy Spirit.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040625-YearC.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry