Jn 8:1-11
We know that in this striking Gospel episode, there really is only one person present who could rightfully have thrown a stone (two if His Mother was nearby!). But no stones come. Instead, the God of the Universe ‘looks up’ at the woman. His powerful word of truth had already made the others there consider themselves before God and drop whatever stones they had to throw. Now he looks up and meets her eyes. His words do not condemn but convert.
The very purpose of his coming into the world is to bring us home. Jesus doesn’t come down to earth to Lord over us, rather he comes as a merciful Lord and Just Judge. He looks up at the woman and calls her to conversion. He meets her where she’s at and invites her to truly live. We do not need to be afraid to be brought before him, if we are willing to open our hearts and listen to his voice. One powerful way we can do this is the Sacrament of Penance. There, we bring ourselves before him, and opening our hearts to his mercy, we will hear words not of condemnation but of absolution.
Whatever, wherever or however our own personal journey of discipleship began, it was always a response to the invitation from the Lord. If we wander off the track along the way, let’s respond again, receiving his gift of love, dropping any stones we hold in our hearts, going our way and sinning no more.