Fifth Sunday of Lent 2025
“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Today’s gospel is another familiar one, but as with all scripture, it is filled with so many nuances that each reading of it draws us into a deeper understanding of Jesus. The story is commonly referred to as “The Woman Caught in Adultery,” but John notes in the opening verse that Jesus is returning from Mount of Olives. He makes no mention of why Jesus was there, perhaps it was simply a retreat to pray. That alone is another wonderful Lenten reminder that if even the Lord himself needed to take time to focus on prayer in his ministry, how much must we need the same!
Immediately upon returning from this time away, John says that early in the morning Jesus arrived to the temple area, only to be bombarded by questions from those who were trying to test and trap him. They asked him about the law of Moses, saying that they could stone this woman because she had been caught in the act of committing adultery. Given that Jesus had just come from a time of focused prayer, we may wonder if that allowed him to respond more simply and calmly? He seemed to ignore their questions by silently bending over and writing on the ground. Was he really ignoring them, or just giving them a chance to pause to prayerfully consider what they were doing and saying? John’s gospel then says that “they continued asking him,” so he “straightened up” to speak to them. If John thought to take notice of him straightening up before speaking, we can imagine the strength with which he spoke and the emphasis he wanted to give to his words: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
He did not address the scribes and Pharisees any further in this passage, but after that simple, strong statement, just bent over again and continued to write on the ground. They didn’t need him to say any more, as John says their response was to go away one by one. His point had been made, and likely shook them to their core. How many other times had they rebuked someone else when they themselves had to atone for so much? How often do we do the same? There are certainly times where it is the difficult but loving thing to do to call someone away from sin, but we must do so in a way that recognizes we are all sinners on a journey toward heaven together.
As we continue our Lenten observances of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, may we come to Jesus truly seeking to understand his Father’s will. In this spirit of understanding, we can then abide by his command to the woman, “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
Lord Jesus, help us to joyfully await the blessed hope.
This reflection is based on the Mass readings for Year C. If you attended a liturgy which included the Scrutinies, you will have heard the readings for Year A.
