The Gospel for the 5th Sunday of Lent speaks of the familiar story of the woman caught in adultery. It is one of the most dramatic and well-known stories in the New Testament. A humiliating experience for this woman. She is being used again. All the people ~ scribes, Pharisees and common folk ~ are there to accuse and condemn. Jesus alone shows her compassion as He shows us compassion. After all, none of us are without sin.
The wonderful message of this Gospel account is that regardless of whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we can always open our hearts to conversion and receive forgiveness for our sins. Perhaps there are painful, hurtful or shameful incidents from our past that still trouble us? Or perhaps letting go of anger and resentment offer challenges or seem impossible? Or maybe we feel that our sins are so great that even God can’t forgive them? This Gospel message assures us that there is always the possibility of mercy and forgiveness. As St. John Paul II commented on this particular passage, “it reveals the true meaning of divine mercy, which leaves open the possibility for repentance and emphasizes the great respect for the dignity of the person, which not even sin can take away.”
Continued blessings on your Lenten journey!
Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz CSFN
Image by cm_dasilva from Pixabay
