Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent(Click here for readings)
The scribes and the Pharisees brought [to Jesus] a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him.
Fifth Week of Lent. We are in the homestretch. Easter is just around the corner. If by now you haven't taken Lent seriously, then what are you waiting for? The Good Thief taught us that it's never too late to get grace (and we all know we can use all the grace we can get).
Have you started to annoy people? Lent is all about changing your life and making new waves. It's all about becoming more and more like Jesus Christ, and we all know that He could be quite annoying to certain people.
It's true. Holy people can be very annoying. And if people are becoming annoyed with you, then don't worry. This is a good sign. Don't be alarmed! It happens a lot during Lent.
You're changing. You're becoming a better Christian. Maybe you've becoming friendlier to your critics and more modest in your appearance. Maybe your cussing less and praying more, especially before meals. This can be very annoying to work associates and friends and family who eat lunch with you. Imagine, as they start tearing into their meal, you're just beginning to do the sign of the Cross! Yep. We know you're not looking for trouble; but boy, can tables turn and what you thought to be harmless has now become offensive and egregious.
Don't be alarmed. You're not the problem. Well, actually, you are. But it's not your fault. It's who you have become.
They said this to test him. If you think holy people are annoying, then chances are you haven't met people who think they are holy. They can be very annoying! Their awful! And the crowd of people who commonly fall into this category are those who consider themselves to be (1) very tolerant - even though they are assassins - (2) very open minded - especially when they are manipulative - and (3) very objective - even while they whip a crowd into a frenzy.
In today's Gospel passage, we read how the Pharisees and scribes dragged an adulterous woman over to Jesus for the sole purpose of having some charge to bring against Him. In other words, they used a human being as a pawn to get to the Lord.
Do I use people to get what I want? Do I treat people as objects at my disposal?
"They brought a woman...to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him." The Lord knew perfectly well what they were up to. This is the reason why He began to write on the ground with His finger. It's what people do when they are annoyed, they avoid eye contact and begin to play with their fingers.
"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
As always, the Lord turned everyone's world upside down - that is, right-side up. To the people who considered themselves holy, their cover was blown with their sins exposed. To the young lady who was dragged before others, her scars were covered and her sins were blown away.
"Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more."
For us who are calculating and manipulating, holy people can be very annoying. But it's not their problem. It's ours.
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