In today’s Gospel (John 8:1-11), we witness a striking contrast between judgment and mercy. The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery before Jesus, ready to stone her. Instead of responding immediately, Jesus bends down and writes on the ground. Some suggest he may have been listing the sins of her accusers. When he finally speaks, his words cut through their self-righteousness: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). One by one, they leave, realising their own faults.
How often do we act like those accusers? We are quick to point fingers, forgetting our own need for mercy. In families, workplaces, and even online, we judge others harshly while justifying our own shortcomings. Yet Jesus calls us to drop our stones—the stones of gossip, resentment, and condemnation. Instead, he invites us into His mercy, a mercy that transforms lives.
Jesus’ actions teach us an important lesson: true faith is not about legalism but about a heart open to love. The religious leaders in this passage prided themselves on knowing the law, yet they failed to recognize the very heart of God standing before them. The woman, on the other hand, had nothing to offer but her brokenness—and that was enough. She was given not only forgiveness but also a new beginning. “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore” (John 8:11). Mercy does not ignore sin; it calls us to conversion.
In this Gospel passage, Jesus is not simply teaching a lesson; He is embodying God’s love in action. The Mount of Olives, where this event takes place, is also where Jesus often withdrew to pray. His time in silence with the Father strengthened him to respond with divine wisdom. We, too, are called to find time in prayer, to quiet our hearts and listen to God’s voice. Only when we receive mercy deeply can we extend it to others.
The accusers in this story remind us of a dangerous temptation: to believe we are righteous while condemning others. It is easy to feel superior when we compare ourselves to those whose sins are public, forgetting our own hidden failings. Yet Jesus shows us that holiness is not about self-righteousness but about humility and love. We are all sinners in need of grace. When we realize this, we can stop judging and start loving.
Forgiveness is difficult, but it is also liberating. When we truly understand how much we have been forgiven, we cannot help but share that same grace with others. The woman in today’s Gospel left her encounter with Jesus transformed. Perhaps she even learned to forgive those who had condemned her.
Jesus calls us to do the same. He challenges us not to focus on condemning sin, but on bringing sinners to the healing power of his love. He does not give up on anyone — and neither should we.
Today, let us drop the stones we hold and choose mercy instead. Who in your life needs your forgiveness today?
Father Josekutty Mathew CMF
