Monday, March 30, 2020 - Fifth week of Lent - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St. John 8, 1-11 - I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord.
Dear Christians, during the teaching of Jesus, the Pharisees presented themselves in an incongruous way, not only did they interrupt the teaching, but at the same time they created a problem and moreover they tempted Jesus. Contrary to what one might think, Jesus did not allow himself to be taken aback, He confronted them without the slightest sign of anger or irritation. Morality: there is no point in getting carried away in the face of inappropriate situations.
What was the problem then?
A woman accused of adultery was brought before Jesus. According to the law she should be immediately stoned to death, but here the Pharisees waited for Jesus' reaction. Undaunted, Jesus fell silent: the teaching is that in the face of provocation and temptation, silence is a formidable weapon. He stooped down and wrote on the ground: to write on the ground is to want not to perpetuate, so if He had drawn a condemnation, at the slightest rain, it will fade away, at the slightest gust of wind, it will fly away. More clearly, Jesus wants us to know that God's mercy prevails over all laws and He, Jesus, is the minister of it.
It was only when He stood up that He said, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at him". Of course, none of them dared to strike the blow and they withdrew one by one, one by one, in disgust. Let us not be quick to judge, let us first probe our inner strength before condemning, let us convert at the slightest evil conscience. At the moment of our conversion, Jesus said to us: "Go, and from now on sin no more".