The Gospel this Sunday (John 8:1-11) vividly illustrated the wisdom of Jesus, but this Season being Lent, let us instead focus on repentance and forgiveness experienced by the woman caught committing adultery. As persons needing repentance and forgiveness, let us learn from her.

          Read the Gospel to your family and as usual, relate it again in your own words. Place them in a disposition to empathize with this woman (make them relax) and experience how she felt throughout the incident.

• She knows because of her sin, she would surely die by stoning as decreed by Law.


• Feel her helplessness as she was being dragged into the Temple.


• Feel her shame as she was made to stand before all the people in the Temple, accusing her of a grave offense.


• As a person about to die, her past would have replayed in her mind, recalling and repenting for all her sins.


• She may not know who Jesus was at that moment but being with Him and looking at Him pondered what to do with her, she could have felt some glimmer of hope.


• For that is what His presence radiated.


• Listen to Jesus answer, "Let the man among you who has no sin be the first to throw a stone at her."


• She was not self-righteous and knew she had sinned, so she expected the first stone to hit her any moment now.


• She silently asked for forgiveness.


• But nothing happened; instead, she saw the people leave one by one, experiencing some sigh of relief.


• She heard Jesus asked Her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"


• With exhilaration, she replied, "No one."


• Finally, Jesus sent her away, "Neither do I condemn you; go away and don't sin again."

Prayer and Reflection ~

          After leading the family into a silent reflection for a few minutes, going through the experience of the woman caught committing adultery, request the family to pray for those in similar situations.

          Must I undergo the same experience of shame to repent for my sins?

          My conscience tells me when and how I have failed to love and have sinned.

          Jesus already came into my life to redeem me. I have to do my part. Am I as righteous as the "elder son" that I failed to look and listen?

Joe & Charito

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