Neither Do I
Fifth Sunday of Lent (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 8:1-11 - Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. 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?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. 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 he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “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.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“So he was left alone with the woman before him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In reality, we find we are very similar to this woman. We all must face Jesus alone. Make no mistake, Jesus is very serious about sin, death, judgment, and hell. And this Gospel is one more reminder that judgment is completely in His Hands. But in the Gospel, while all the accusations, all the recounting of sin is going on, Jesus doesn’t even seem to be listening. The one thing—the one person—He seems to give serious attention to, is the woman. Jesus is less concerned about her sins, and more concerned with her. Jesus is also very serious about mercy.
Jesus seeks to give mercy, not judgment, though both are His to give. Jesus is inexhaustibly liberal with his forgiveness. But He gives a command along with His mercy, “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” That is why, when we go to Confession, our sins are forgiven only if we have the intention or desire not to repeat them. Our intentions matter greatly! Lent, especially right before Easter, is the greatest time to go to Confession. By doing so, we can enter into the Liturgy so appropriately—as people forgiven by Christ’s Death and ready to rejoice at His Resurrection. Examine ourselves in prayer: do we need to attend Confession and experience God’s great mercy? He wants to offer us His forgiveness there!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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