Different ways of looking

thought-for-sundayFrom the desk of Fr. Ignatius Waters, cp

Sunday, 7th April 2019

  

 

Jesus was teaching at daybreak – so early! And a big crowd had gathered to hear him. We’ll never know what Jesus intended to speak about that morning because the Scribes and Pharisees arrived dragging a woman caught in the very act of adultery. How did they know? Were they spying on her? And where was her partner in adultery?

Whatever about the rights and wrongs of it, it provided a lesson that the people gathered at daybreak would never forget. It was well worth getting up early for this! And this lesson was all about eyes and looking and different ways of looking:

  • The scribes and Pharisees were looking gleefully at the woman out there in the middle, just a pawn in their game to trap Jesus.
  • They were also looking at Jesus, delighted to embarrass him.
  • Jesus is anguished and, knowing their game, at first can’t look at any of them.
  • The woman, shamed and downcast, is looking at the ground.
  • The gathered people are looking, fascinated, as the scene develops.

When Jesus doesn’t immediately respond to their questions, they “persist” with their shouting, “What are we to do? Are we to stone her? It’s the law, isn’t it? Tell us what to do, compassionate Jesus!” But Jesus says nothing. It’s almost as if he wants them to hear themselves.

Finally, he does look up and when Jesus looks at you, he looks at you! He looks at them one by one and says: “If there is anyone among you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her,”

Now all eyes are on them:

  • Jesus looks at them,
  • The woman looks at them,
  • The crowd looks at them,
  • They look at one another!

This is different. It was fine when they were looking and pointing the finger and shouting. Now all eyes are on them and they can’t stand it. They drop their stones and slink away. And Jesus is left alone with the woman. Of course, they’re not alone. The crowd is still there watching, looking and learning!

 Jesus looks up and says, “Where are they? Has anyone condemned you?” And she says, “No one, sir.” “Neither do I,” says Jesus, “go and don’t sin anymore.”

What an early morning lesson for those who were there – and for us!

 

Isn’t it so easy to throw stones? Especially when we see ourselves on the side of right and law and moral rectitude!  We don’t like it one bit when all eyes are on us! But throwing stones from any side never solves anything!