Genesis 47.28-48.22 Psalm 9 Hebrews 5.11- 6.12
Genèse 47.28-48.22 Psaume 9 Hébreux 5.11- 6.12
In John’s Gospel, when a woman who was supposedly caught in adultery is brought before Jesus by the Pharisees who were looking for a charge to bring against him “Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.”
According to the Hebrew laws a person caught in adultery, would be brought to the temple and accused. Witnesses had to be gathered to confirm that adultery had indeed been committed in order to bring judgement. The priest was required to write the law that had been broken, along with the names of the accused. The writing should not be permanent therefore the dust of the floor of the Temple which would be erased by the wind suited well. The Scribes and Pharisees ignored the law, brought the woman only, and then continued with accusations. After realizing they too had broken the law and were not without sin (even the Pharisees who were particularly expected to live by the law) they left one by one.
When none appeared to have condemned the woman Jesus said: “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” This once more shows the ultimate Grace that can only come from God. Jesus does not condemn us but will forgive us even when a sin is as clear as the sin of the woman.
From the complex bundle of messages compiled in this Bible passage in particular the lightness by which we often condemn others and more specifically the countless times that we receive Grace will for me be something to reflect upon during this period of Lent.
Van de complexe boodschap in deze bijbelpassage wil ik met name de lichtzinnigheid waarmee wij mensen geneigd zijn anderen te veroordelen en meer in het bijzonder de onmetelijke Genade die wij mogen ontvangen als punt van reflexie tijdens deze vastentijd nemen.
Du message complexe de ce passage biblique je tiens tout particulièrement prendre comme point de réflexion au cours du Carême la légèreté avec laquelle nous condamnons un autre, et en particulier l’immense Grâce que nous pouvons recevoir.
Alex Von Franquemont
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