“The devil is shrewd,”……."He deceives us with the idea that our human justice can save us and save the world. In reality, only the justice of God can save us!”

God always forgives when you are totally repentant and you desire to change. He forgives…and He never gets tired of forgiving. Never. You may get tired asking. I hope not. He never, never tires of forgiving. Never. – Mother Angelica: ((born Rita Antoinette Rizzo); 1923 – March 27, 2016):  also known as Mother Angelica, was a Catholic American Franciscan nun best known for her television personality.)

Gospel Text: (JN 8:1-11)

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area,

and all the people started coming to him,

and he sat down and taught them.

Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman

who had been caught in adultery

and made her stand in the middle.

They said to him,

"Teacher, this woman was caught

in the very act of committing adultery.

Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.

So what do you say?"

They said this to test him,

so that they could have some charge to bring against him.

Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.

But when they continued asking him,

he straightened up and said to them,

"Let the one among you who is without sin

be the first to throw a stone at her."

Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.

And in response, they went away one by one,

beginning with the elders.

So he was left alone with the woman before him.

Then Jesus straightened up and said to her,

"Woman, where are they?

Has no one condemned you?"

She replied, "No one, sir."

Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you.

Go, and from now on do not sin any more."

Stone-throwing is so very common, and aren’t we all guilty? We may not throw physical stones, but the ones we throw may be just as hurtful. It’s so easy to judge others. Like the friend who is an alcoholic, or the school teacher who is having an affair, or the priest who seems harsh and unhappy and makes everyone feel unwelcome at church.

Rather than judging and gossiping about them, let’s at least pray for them, or even better, let’s ask the Lord to show us how to love them. Judgment doesn’t change anyone’s life, but love does.

Scripture tells us that “we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We all need God’s love and mercy and forgiveness and we often experience God’s touch through another person.