Daily Reflection, April 6, 2024

Reflection:

In this remarkable Gospel passage, there is a crisis underway, and Jesus is caught up in it. The scribes and the Pharisees, the authorities and the crowd are all at odds over who Jesus is and what to do about him. Their question about the woman is a trap. They are hiding their opposition to Jesus behind concern for legal and moral principles. If they could catch him out on something as clearly against the Law as adultery, they could attack him or even get rid of him.

The woman is a convenient tool in their effort to get Jesus. She bears the hallmarks of a scapegoat – someone easy to blame. She is a woman and therefore seen as unimportant; she is alone and undefended, and so is unlikely to retaliate.

However, Jesus turns the whole scene on its head through his challenge to “cast the first stone”.  Most people now know instinctively what the phrase “casting the first stone” means. Once someone acts violently, permission is given for others to do the same. It happens all the time. Once the first item of gossip, the first nasty remark or the first lie is told, the second, third and fourth come easily and swiftly.

Jesus’ challenge interrupts the process, preventing the stoning of the woman and containing the violence. In a world drowning in lies and violence, we need to imitate him.

Sister Susan Connelly RSJ, past teacher and Motor Missioner has been involved with Timor-Leste since the 1990s and is concerned about West Papua. She is involved with the Passionist Parish of Marrickville, NSW.