Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.
Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”
“No one, Master.”
“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”
In Intimate Moments with the Savior, Ken Gire writes this prayer below. Pray it slowly.
Dear Lord Jesus,
I confess with shame that there are times I have stood in the midst, condemned.
And there are times I have stood in the crowd, condemning.
There are times my heart has been filled with adultery, hate greed and covetousness.
And there are times my hands have been filled with stones, yet I live in a glass house.
Forgive me for a heart that is so prone to wander, so quick to forget my vows.
Forgive me too for my eagerness in bringing you the sins of others, and my reluctance to bring you my own.
Forgive me for times I have stood judging others, others I’m not qualified to judge… yet I do the same thing in secret.
Help me to live more like you, full of grace and compassion.
Amen.
