HOMILY OF MONDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK IN LENT
Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62, John 8:1-11
THEME: WHY WE CONDEMN OTHERS: The danger of self projection
QUOTE: No one is without blame in the story of the fall of man, it is only in Jesus that our perfection is sure.
We can be judged by our attitude towards those who are morally weaker than us, or those who commit sin. If we are loving, we would be compassionate towards those who sin, but when we are too quick to condemn, it may simply mean that we have caught them in the exact act our religious orientation prevents us from committing because, deep within us, we desire to do same. But in order to protect our name or to escape the wrath of a God who punishes offender, we withdraw. This is how we often get involved in the game of self-projection.
In condemning others, that way, we are equally condemning ourselves. No one is without blame in the story of the fall of man, it is only in Jesus that our perfection is sure.
Regardless, as Christians, we are not called to entertain sin, we are meant to correct those who commit sin in love. The elders in our first reading today went beyond merely committing sin, they became corrupted. They had desired to lay down with Susana, but she refused their desire due to the fear of God, they decided to accuse her of adultery. Fortunately for Susana, God put his spirit in the young boy Daniel, to expose their evil and paid them back in their own coin.
In similar way in today’s gospel, a woman who was caught red-handed committing adultery was brought to Jesus for his judgement. Her accusers were put to shame by his response.
“If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard this, they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin anymore.”
“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Roman 3:23. We can be gentle towards those who are weak in the spirit and give them the hope of conversion.
May the mercy of God ensure our continuous conversion. Amen.
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