HOMILY OF 5TH SUNDAY IN LENT — YEAR C
HOMILY OF 5TH SUNDAY IN LENT — YEAR C
HOMILY THEME: CAUGHT IN THE ACT—A STORY OF MERCY AND REDEMPTION
BY: Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa, MA.
Is. 43:16-21, Phil. 3:8-14, Jn. 8:1-11
In today’s Gospel reading (John 8:1-11), the scribes and Pharisees confront Jesus with a woman accused of adultery (John 8:3). Their accusatory tone and choice of words—”caught,” “brought,” and “made to stand” (John 8:3)—reveal a disturbing disregard for her dignity and lack of compassion and empathy.
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This encounter reminds us that we should hate the sin but love the person. It’s not about making excuses for someone’s mistakes but about seeing beyond their flaws. We’re all more than our mistakes, after all. The scribes and Pharisees took a different approach. They quoted the Mosaic law to justify stoning the woman, but they were using the law to justify their own cruelty rather than seeking justice or compassion.
We still see people misusing Bible verses today. Take the verse about wives submitting to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24), for example. Some people use it to justify controlling behavior in marriage, but they conveniently ignore the verse right before it, which says we should all submit to each other (Eph. 5:21). It’s about mutual respect and teamwork, not dominance.
Interestingly, the teachings on stoning for adultery had specific nuances. For instance, Deuteronomy 22:23-24 states that if a man sleeps with a woman who is engaged to be married, both parties should be stoned to death. Similarly, Leviticus 20:10 mandates the death penalty for both the man and the woman who commit adultery with another man’s wife.
Moreover, this nuanced understanding of the Torah raises important questions about the motivations of the scribes and Pharisees. Why did they focus only on the woman’s guilt while ignoring the equal culpability of the man involved? This double standard is evident in the fact that only the woman was brought to Jesus.
Women often seem to face a higher moral standard than men, and they face harsher judgment and punishment for the same mistakes. This highlights the need for fairness, equality, and compassion in our treatment of others, regardless of their gender or circumstances.
Moreover, the man’s absence reveals that the scribes and Pharisees weren’t interested in punishing the woman or considering how her actions might have affected her husband (Exodus 20:17). Instead, they were using the woman to trap Jesus (John 8:6) and damage his reputation and authority.
If Jesus were to say, “Release her; let her go,” they would accuse him of violating the Mosaic law (John 8:5). On the other hand, if Jesus were to say, “Stone her!” he would be condoning a punishment that only the Roman authorities had the power to impose (John 18:31).
In this difficult situation, Jesus responds in a surprising way. He bends down and begins writing on the ground with his finger (John 8:6). In ancient Mediterranean culture, writing on the ground was a well-known gesture of refusal and disengagement.
By writing on the ground, Jesus is effectively saying, “I’m not playing your game.” Instead, he’s choosing to focus on the woman and her well-being. This act of Jesus sets the stage for his famous words, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).
This response is firmly grounded in biblical tradition, which requires that witnesses be the first to carry out punishment, followed by the rest of the community (Deuteronomy 17:7). In this way, Jesus masterfully exposes their hypocrisy, and, one by one, they begin to slip away, starting with the oldest.
Left alone with the woman, Jesus addresses her with respect, asking, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” (John 8:10). Jesus then declared, “Neither do I condemn you. Go on your way, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11), expressing God’s mercy and forgiveness.
As we reflect on this story, let’s remember that mercy and forgiveness are about making things right in a way that heals and restores people. Jesus doesn’t downplay the woman’s mistake, but instead of condemning her, he offers mercy and forgiveness, which ultimately brings her healing and restoration.
May we strive to see others beyond their flaws and believe in their potential for good, just as Jesus did. May we also work towards creating a more just and equitable society. And may God give us the courage to challenge hypocrisy and promote forgiveness and mercy. Amen.
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