April 6, 2025・5th Sunday of Lent (C)

Isaiah 43.16-21・Psalm 126.1+2ab, 2cd+3, 4+6 ・ Philippians 3.8-14・ John 8.1-11

The liturgical readings for today, 5th Sunday of Lent, present us the vast of God`s forgiveness in contrast to the sad reality of human beings who are identified to be too judgmental and unforgiving and carrying grudges for long long period of time, or maybe for a lifetime. We learn from a slow to judge and a forgiving God that “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” is His (God`s) calling. This is a powerful expression of focus and determination in a spiritual context of Christian living. The individual Christian is encouraged to focus on Christian goal and aspiration, which is,  to holiness rather than dwelling on past sins of one`s own self and that of others. We are therefore encouraged on this fifth Sunday of Lent to strive for a deeper and closer relationship with God by not being judgmental and by not being unforgiving.

Today`s gospel account can really be a very dramatic scene. We have again the overwhelming characteristics of the Scribes and Pharisees in this dramatic scene. We have a character of the woman accused of adultery. We also have Jesus challenging all the accusers and all people around to first cast a stone if anyone find one`s own  self sinless.

The season of Lent brings us to take time in judging situations things and people around us. May we from now on be able to refrain from exposing others and condemning others with their personal sins just to hide our own shortcomings and personal sins. Moreover may we be able to avoid pointing to innocent others the sins we ourselves are actually committing. Let us rather be true co-pilgrims with others, spend more time in quiet and composure aiming to celebrate Easter together.