Today we hear the haunting gospel story of the people who wanted to stone to death a woman who had committed adultery. This was permitted according to Jewish law at that time. Death was seen to be the penalty for such a sin. Her partner could also receive the same sentence. Why wasn’t he brought forward? The people back off when Jesus says, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” What were their sins? Had some of them also secretly committed adultery?
We hear this gospel in the Lenten season because the words of Jesus are words for all us: “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” Whatever our sin, whatever our need for repentance, the Lenten season beckons us to turn more and more to God and what is of God, and, to turn more and more away from behaviors, words, thoughts, and attitudes that are not of God.
What kind of turning is God asking of you this Lent?