Not the World's Judgement, but its Salvation

Fifth Sunday of Lent: Cycle C - April 03, 2022 

Readings: Isaiah 43:16–21; Psalm 126:1–6; Philippians 3:8–14; John 8:1–11

(Jesus and the sinful woman John 8:1-11)

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We are inching closer to Holy Week. In fact, the Holy Week is the most treasured and liturgically rich week among all the 52 weeks that we have in a year. If last year we spent the Lent taking care of our loved ones and ourselves from the onslaught of the Corona pandemic, this year particularly this time we are terribly disturbed by the war that is going on in Ukraine. 87% of the population in Ukraine is Christian. Greek-Catholic Church in Ukraine (Byzantine rite) is the largest Eastern Catholic Church in the world in full communion with the pope and the worldwide Catholic Church. The images of death and destruction unleashed by the Russian army on Ukraine are unimaginable. However, in this distressing time, the liturgical readings on the 5th Sunday of Lent invite us not to look for the world's judgement but for its salvation. The world of today needs salvation. It cannot be wrought by the world itself but by God alone with our readiness to embrace His grace.

1. Worldly struggles have an end and a future

Whenever we think about the present or future, we fall back to the past, the history. During Lent, we have read a number of episodes from the Old Testament about how the God of the Israelites lead them in their journey. God had been their constant support and strength in spite of the terrible slavery they had to go through in Egypt. God called them out of Egypt and He chose Moses as their leader to bring them to the promised land. God gave them judges and kings, prophets and priests to make their life easier and eventful. The history of the Israelites was not an easy one, yet God made them stronger and more in number. Moreover, God was their leader and salvation in every stage of their lives both in good and bad times. People forgot Yahweh and His works of wonder. They struggled through sin and slavery, death and destruction, disease and annihilation, drought and deficiency, devil and wickedness, adversaries and anxieties, war and peace. In other words, the prophet Isaiah speaks in the first reading of today (Isaiah 43:16–21) very encouraging words. Even though they have to go through all these hellish things yet they have been alive and active. And there is a purpose as God says "the people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise" (Isaiah 43:21).

We are joyful today because God has done great things for us (Psalm 126:3). Lenten Season is not just for mourning and feeling pity for Jesus who died on the Cross. In fact, Lent is a reminder for us that we may remain grateful to God, thankful to God. The thankful heart always remains at peace and tranquillity, communion and one with God. The moment we forget God and His faithfulness in our lives, very quickly, the devil invades us with jealousy, superiority complex, pride, anger, etc. losing us from the presence of God. When a person disengages from God and the memory, evil makes a home in the person. The ills of this world and of ours are certainly because of our disengagement from the life of God. Therefore being in the world and participating in its joys and struggles leads us to a future provided we do not lose the company of God or from His divine energies. Jim Rohn writes: “You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.” Nothing is impossible. For God everything is possible. 

2. Our judgements have no value in front of God's mercy

The Gospel of today (John 8:1–11) narrates a powerful incident that took place at the temple area of Mount of Olives. The place itself has significance - the temple area. A location, which is supposed to have divine energy and God's presence flowing in a very specific way. In a patriarchal and male chauvinistic society, anything could happen. The best example is today's Gospel reading on judging a woman in public who was caught in adultery. Unfortunately, she happens to be a prostitute. That's why all the eyes are on her, and Jesus was supposed to be the judge. The Pharisees and scribes see no good either in the sinful woman or in Jesus. Because they had already concluded who they are and what should be done with them. But Jesus plays a trick, which puts them in a very difficult position. Neither the words from the Torah (Law of Moses) nor their own conclusions are encouraged by Jesus. In fact, Jesus puts them into shame with a simple question: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). Jesus called their attention to her humanity and theirs.  Jesus chose mercy over judgment. 

Perhaps it is easier to judge others but it's very difficult to accept the question of someone which has deeper repercussions on one's life. Often, we would like to pass judgment on others without realizing that the same judgment is weighing upon us. We would like to condemn others because of our own crooked and evil minds, but when others condemn us rightly or wrongly, we find it difficult to digest. Jesus neither proclaims the woman's innocence nor does he condemns the woman who was caught in adultery. All the same, Jesus does not criticize the Scribes and Pharisees who had sought a death sentence for that helpless, vulnerable woman. In place of condemnation Lord showers upon her compassion and forgiveness. He sees repentance is greater than punishment. There is certainly a very important point here. It is better to shut our mouths when we would like to pass judgements on others. 

3. Not the world's judgement but its salvation. 

God always prepares us for something new, something for the future. Prophet Jeremiah says: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). Lent is an opportune time for us to think consciously about where do we want to go from here. Strangely, the scribes and Pharisees who brought the adulterous woman for a judgement of condemnation end up leaving the place one by one without even uttering a word to Jesus' question. When we encounter God-man, Jesus - he knows to show us the way. We might have to come to him with our efforts, grievances and wicked thoughts but once we encounter him there is a change forever.  Probably, only one person who changed completely forever is that adulterous woman. The only thing that Jesus said to her was to go home and not to sin anymore. She found in Jesus' company salvation. It is not enough to be sorry for our past actions. True repentance calls for a change in our behaviour – ceasing whatever was harmful, committing to do better in the future.  

We are not called to bring the world's judgement, but its salvation. The world is in dire need of salvation today as it is going through crisis after crisis. First, it is with global health crises, and now with war, a war where nuclear disasters are looming large just like the Sword of Damocles. St John the evangelist writes: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:17). We are called to move beyond our past hurts, failures, mis-spoken words, and the little things that prevent us from taking steps forward towards our own resurrection into life with Christ. None of us is better than others. All of us are in the same boat of sinfulness and grace, imperfection and God's presence. Perhaps today, we might like to lean into the humanity of those who have hurt us or disappointed us. Thus we may demonstrate that we are forgivable and loveable. 

Questions for Reflections:

1. God is at work in the creation and me. How do I look at God's presence in my life?
2. In place of the world's judgement, we are to look out for its salvation. How can I bring this salvation into the world concretely?
3. God brings forth continuously new life and energy. Where do I see God's new life and energy in my life, family and community?
4. How often am I quick to judge others without taking time to recognise my own faults and failings? 

Prayer:

God and Father of all, in your love you made all the nations of the world to be a family, and your Son taught us to love one another. Yet our world is driven apart by prejudice, arrogance, war and pride. 

Help the different races to love and understand one another better. Increase among us sympathy, tolerance, and goodwill, that we may learn to appreciate the gifts that those of other races bring to us, and to see in all people our brothers and sisters for whom Christ died. Save us from jealousy, hatred, bitterness, and fear, and help us to live together as members of one family at home in the world, sons and daughters of one Father who live in the liberty of the children of God; Lord, please lift us up from sin and help us lean forward into a new life with you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

31 March 2022