Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, from now on do not sin any more.” - John 8:11

In the gospel according to St. John, Jesus was teaching at the temple area when the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. Then they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”  Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. 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.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground and in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So Jesus was left alone with the woman and He said “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said , “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

  

We already know that it is already in our human nature to judge others by his/her mistakes. It is easy for us to see the flaws of others where in fact we too have a lot of flaws.  We easily judge others based on what we see and not by what we know. According to a blog that I’ve read, “Many of us like it very much to judge not knowing that when we judge we also invite others to judge us. … We are quick to judge because we have a mindset of superiority and arrogance. This is what compels us to quickly judge those who sin.”

Like in the gospel today, none of the scribe and the Pharisees dared to throw a stone at the woman because they admit that they, themselves are sinners too. Let’s not be hypocrites like them. Judgment or condemnation will never heal a sinner but instead, will push him/her deeper in to sin.

Jesus here teaches us compassion towards others especially this Lenten Season. We should show mercy and compassion to those who sin because we, ourselves are also sinners who are in need of God’s forgiveness. Just like what they say “our past does not define our future”, it’s true because God is a forgiving and a merciful God. There will always be a second chance, a chance to learn a lesson from our mistakes.

What are the things that you want to change for yourself during this Lenten Season? Begin now, it’s never too late for a second chance. J

- Shine Abellana