Dear parents and friends,

“Neither do I condemn you”

At Mass this Sunday, the 5th Sunday of Lent, we will hear again the Gospel story of the sinful woman brought to Jesus. Those who brought her were doing so in the hope of not only having the woman publicly condemned, but also of trapping Jesus into contradicting the law of Moses - that she should be stoned for her sins.

Scripture scholars tell us that the crowd was full of hate for Jesus and also of self-righteous anger and judgement of the woman. Full of compassion, but also aware of the trap being laid for him, Jesus responds in a most unexpected way. After spending some time writing in the dirt on the ground (we do not know what he was writing!), Jesus stands and speaks the memorable words, “If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

The crowd immediately begins to disperse, one by one leaving the scene. It is clear that Jesus has dismissed the self-appointed ‘judge and jury’, their malice disqualifying them. He then speaks to the woman: “Has no one condemned you?... Neither do I condemn you; go away and sin no more.” Jesus speaks of God’s mercy without fear of those who would entrap him, and without undermining the law.

As Term 1, during which the St Brigid’s school value of Compassion has been our focus, draws to a close, we might pray for growing wisdom and discernment: to see Jesus as our model of mercy and compassion, and the God of our hearts as our judge.

Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning