Monday of the 5th week of Lent
Saint Turibius of Mongrovejo
Gospel: John 8:1-11In today’s Gospel, Jesus stands before a woman caught in sin, surrounded by accusation, pressure, and judgment. The crowd demands a verdict, seeking to trap Him between the law and compassion. Yet Jesus is not driven by their pressure, nor by the noise of condemnation; He is guided solely by mercy. In silence, He writes on the ground, creating space for truth to emerge, and then speaks words that disarm both the accusers and the accused: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” One by one they leave, and Jesus remains alone with the woman, not to condemn, but to restore: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.” This encounter reveals the heart of Christ: firm in truth, yet entirely free in mercy. During Lent, we are invited to step out of the voices that accuse, whether from others or within ourselves, and to stand before Jesus, where only mercy has the final word. Let’s reflect: Lent is stepping away from judgment and standing before Jesus to receive and live from His merciful freedom.
Don Giorgio