My Thoughts on 22/03/2021

When I was at the junior seminary, us boys would always look forward to hearing the story of Suzanna and the elders which is read today at Mass. In the gospel today the scribes and the Pharisees brought to Jesus the woman caught in adultery. So we have the story of a woman falsely accused of adultery and delivered by the hand of justice and a story of a woman who sinned and was delivered from legal-minded a nod hardhearted witnesses by mercy. What a wonderful gospel story of God’s mercy.

Pope Francis says

“Jesus attitude is striking: we do not hear words of scorn, we do not hear words of condemnation, but only words of love, of mercy, which are an invitation to conversion, “Neither do I indemnity you, go and sin no more.” Ah! Brothers and sisters, God’s face is the face of a merciful father who is always patient. Have you thought about God’s patience, the patience he has with each one of us? That is his mercy. He always has patience, patience with us, he understands us, he waits for us, he does not tire of forgiving us if we are able to return to him with a contrite heart.” (Angelus March 17th 2013).

For any us caught up in any sinful situation we need to remember the gentle mercy of Jesus which is greater than any sin. This can be experienced in the sacrament of reconciliation. For us who are not involved in any sinful behaviour we need to avoid the “proud self-righteousness of the woman’s accusers and instead imitate Jesus not condemning but lovingly summing the sinner to repent and live a better life.”

As we journey these last two weeks to Easter let us think about availing ourselves of God’s loving mercy and healing, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.