FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT C
SNARED BY LOVE
Jn 8:1-11
MESSAGE
The adulterous woman was caught in the act… but the man was absolved. She was dragged through the streets of shame. Judgment had already been passed, and her punishment decided—death by stoning.
What was going through her mind and heart? Perhaps she was drowning in shame, trembling in fear, weeping in desperation. No one stood by her. She knew in her heart that this was the end of the road.
But the Pharisees made a crucial mistake—they brought the sinner to Jesus. If there was one group of people for whom Jesus’ heart longed, it was those who had failed in life. Jesus loved the Pharisees, too, because they were sinners, but they refused to admit it. So Jesus fixed His gaze on the woman, and she sensed she was in the presence of someone different. From her captivity in the hands of men, she leaped into the hands of mercy.
Jesus did not deny her sin. He did not downplay the gravity of her mistake. He did not declare her blameless. But because her heart pleaded for love, understanding, and forgiveness, the Lord allowed her to experience His great tenderness.
REFLECT
This week, let us open our hearts to the tenderness of God. In my room, I have a cross that I kiss each morning as I pray, “Tender, loving Lord, help me today.” With every act of sacrifice and penance, let us truly believe that God is not harsh but tender toward us when we repent. Should we not show the same mercy to those around us?
