Love the sinner, hate the sin!
These are words I remember being taught by my parents at a young age. I was reminded of these words this past weekend as I proclaimed and reflected on the Gospel - John 8: 1 - 11.
'The Woman Caught in Adultery'
The one who is in misery, without hope, soon to be stoned.
In this passage Jesus uses the opportunity to show the crowd in a new way the love of the Father. This new way is counter cultural and will challenge what modern day society thinks is the 'right thing'. It certainly presents a quandary for the scribes and Pharisees. After all, doesn't the law say that someone caught in adultery is to be stoned?
What are the 'right things' or 'codes' in our lives that God is challenging us about?
Here we have a woman, a person, who has sinned. She has been judged, persecuted, and oppressed. She is in a state of misery, suffering in great mental and emotional distress. Her very life is in jeopardy. I cannot think of anyone more vulnerable and alone.
'Let any one amoung you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her' v7
A new way, a new answer ... certainly not the answer expected by the crowd. Instead of an act of violence in a mob setting, Jesus calls each person to remember their own sinfulness. As the passage continues, the people left the scene starting with the elders, one by one, until Jesus was left alone with her.
She meets her salvation - Jesus.
Jesus to, although sinless, will also experience the same persecution in His Passion. Jesus, will suffer for her, for us, ... He will do this in obedience of the Father, for the salvation of the world.
This passage from the Gospel of John was forefront in my mind as we were discerning opening Shifra Homes http://www.shifrahomes.com/ a maternity home for young women and teens.
After all, when a young woman or teen is faced with a crisis pregnancy she can be in a state of misery. Especially if she is rejected by family and friends. Like the woman in the Gospel she can fall into judgement of others. She will be accused of all sorts of things. The difference is that in our day and age she will not necessarily be accuse of a sin, but rather 'how could you be so stupid ... this is going to change your life ... you are not able or worthy ... this is a major inconvenience ...'
She will not be threaten with stoning, or at least not with rocks or stones. She will be 'stoned' with emotional and psychological volleys. 'Rid yourself of your condition ... run ... you don't have my support ... get out ... abort'
This will work entirely against her natural instincts to nurture the life within her.
She is conflicted and confused.
This is reality for many teens in our area (Region of Halton) and I am sure it is same throughout the western world. In Halton there are over 200 teen pregnancy a year. Only 50 result in births. The balance are aborted!
'Go your way, and from now on sin no more'
The one thing I have noticed amoung our young residents is the lack of self esteem and confidence. An important aspect of our ministry is to teach life style skills, but even more critical is for us to demonstrate how much they are valued as a person. As a Christ Centred ministry, we do this by example, based on the teachings of Jesus. By doing so we are enabling them to grow in self confidence and to develop life skills to 'sin no more'. To be able to live a life as dignified person.
