APRIL32022

The Cecil B. DeMille movie, King of Kings, portrays the scene of the woman caught in adultery very dramatically. Her accusers bring her to Jesus demanding that he condemn her. He bends down and writes in the sand various sins — pride, lust, gluttony — and at each word one of the Chief Priests looks aghast and walks away. However, while the Bible does not tell us, I do not imagine that is what Jesus was writing. After all, the word Jesus spoke to the woman is the word he speaks to all: “Neither do I condemn you.” He was instead playing for time, giving everyone present the opportunity to look at their lives. We are all guilty, in need of God’s love. What we are not is shameful. When we have sinned or messed up we can say “I did a bad thing.” Doing so provides the occasion to repent and live in a more godly way. After Jesus said he did not condemn her he added, “From now on do not sin any more.” What should never say is the shame-filled statement: “I am a bad.” That does no good — and is not true since everyone is made in the image of God. We are called to follow the example of Jesus and avoid condemning others — that is God’s business. At the same time we should not fear making a fearless moral inventory and asking God’s help in becoming more kind, more compassionate, more generous, more forgiving, more loving.