The Fifth Sunday in Lent

“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.”

None of us is without sin. This is something we should always keep in mind when we are tempted to condemn, belittle, or turn our noses up at another person. The people in our lives will sin against us or do something we do not agree with. Some of these actions will be little things, while others will have greater substance. In all cases, we will be faced with a choice to either hold a grudge against or forgive the person and give them another chance. Like Jesus, we should not turn our backs on those who trespass against us, but rather show mercy. Might they hurt us again? Yes. But God does not ask us to live lives without suffering, rejection, or betrayal. Instead, He asks us to show compassion to others, just as we would want Him to show compassion to us in spite of our sins.

What can we do to resist and avoid the temptation to condemn others? Are we truly willing to forgive those who have trespassed against us and give them a second chance? How can we learn to love those who have done us harm?

O Lord, help us to forgive others.

Amen.