[Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 125; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11]

In parishes where they have the final Scrutiny of the Elect this Sunday, they will have the story of Lazarus, which reminds us that Jesus wept when He saw how upset his friends were at the death of their brother and how he called Lazarus back from the dead; to restore him. We all journey in hope that we will rise from the dead with Christ on the last day. In other parishes, they have the readings listed above.

In the first reading we are reminded of the generosity of God who provides for all of our needs. There is emphasis that God provides, despite our previous wrongdoings; as long as we have repented, Isaiah tells us “remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.”  God rewards those who turn away from evil and who give Him praise.

There is often a temptation for us to live in the past, to allow our past to dominate our life. Jesus calls us to live today. When we are baptised, we become new creations. When we confess our sins, the slate has been wiped clean; yet we often allow the tempter to convince us that we are still condemned. St Paul tells us to “to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead.” Like St Paul our goal is “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

In the Gospel, Jesus tells the woman who had been condemned by her community, that He does not condemn her, nor does He condemn us. He did this after challenging her accusers to examine their own lives first before they even thought about what she had done. Jesus again asks us not to live in the past and not to keep a tally of the things which are behind us, because we cannot change the past. Neither should we accuse, blame or condemn one another. We are called to forgive one another; this gives hope to the whole community.[1]

The scribes and the Pharisees demonstrate an act of male conspiracy and coercion; where is the man who must have been involved in this act too? They are trying to trap Jesus in the same way that the woman had been trapped; [otherwise there would have been two accused persons]. If Jesus had gone with the lynch mob, He would have been in trouble with the Romans. If He had let her go, the Pharisees and the scribes would have accused Him of not following the law of Moses. They believe they have Jesus between a rock and a hard place.

Yet, Jesus puts their question back to them, asking them to look into their hearts and condemn her only if they had not sinned. The accusers one by one slink away, just like the serpent in the garden of Eden. They know they are sinners, but they are not prepared to accept a new life as forgiven sinners. Their preference is to hold others to account; and to cling on to any moral high ground they perceive exists. When Jesus looks up, He is left with the woman. Jesus tells her to sin no more, ‘anointing her with dignity’ according to Pope Francis.[2]

Pope Francis tells us that “mercy is divine and has to do with the judgement of sin. Compassion has a more human face. It means to suffer with, to suffer together, to not remain indifferent to the pain and suffering of others. It is what Jesus felt when He saw the crowds who followed him.” [3]With the woman in today’s Gospel Jesus was the face of compassion and mercy, This is the same in every confessional in the world; where the priest is in the person of Christ [persona Christi]; forgives our sins and asks not to sin anymore.

These readings call on me to forgive, they remind me not to judge or to accuse those I meet. This is often difficult. A recent example of this is when I met someone, who I know is homeless. He was being loud and was disturbing my peace. He came over to me and had obviously had a bit too much to drink. Inside I was thinking he can afford alcohol, why should I buy him some food? I then realised, it wasn’t up to me to judge him. His need at that time was not more alcohol, it was food; and I knew that if I could help, then I needed to. This is not easy, and there will be some people who take advantage of our good intentions; but we need to remember to let God judge them; just as He will judge us.

In this year of Hope, we are reminded that we are to be a sign to others. Whilst not always easy, we must; whenever possible, call on the Holy Spirit to help us do this.

Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

Fifth Sunday of Lent

CCC 430, 545, 589, 1846-1847: Jesus manifests the Father’s mercy
CCC 133, 428, 648, 989, 1006: the surpassing wealth of knowing Christ
CCC 2475-2479: rash judgment

Please keep in your prayers this week

  • Polly and Audrey who will undergo the third scrutiny at St Bede’s this weekend.
  • The sick and housebound, those who are dying and those who are grieving.
  • Father Jean-Patrice that he makes a full recovery.
  • The continued fight to protect all life from conception until natural death.
  • Fr John Chadwick, who is ill at this time.

Deacon Tony, 3rd April 2025

[1] Mike & Margaret Magee, I Am With You, Year C, [Two in One Flesh, Caterham, 2012]46.

[2] Maria Power and Raymond Friel, Pastoral Review Vol 21 Issue 2, [The Tablet Publishing Company, Twickenham, 2025] 78.

[3] Pope Francis, The Name of God is Mercy, [Bluebird books for life, London, 2016] 87.