There’s someone in today’s Gospel I relate to—and it’s not who you might think. I started reading the Bible every day at 13. My life revolved around church and ministry, something not many kids my age can relate to. Because of that, I often felt different—even set apart. Over time, without realizing it, I fell into the trap of thinking I was holier than others. I believed my faith somehow made me better than all my friends.

Looking back, I see how dangerous that pride was. I feel real sorrow for the times I let it grow in my heart. That’s why I see myself, not in the woman accused, but in the scribes and Pharisees who stood ready to condemn.

Jesus reminds us that none of us are without sin. Who are we to throw stones when we, too, are broken?

The only way to truly receive God’s grace is to recognize that we are all like that woman on the ground. Yet at the same time, we are also the child to whom God says, “Neither do I condemn you.” 

Helene Gogna (helenegogna@gmail.com)

reflect

Be honest with yourself: Are there times when you tend to be arrogant with your faith? Come to Jesus in humility and ask Him and those we have hurt with our pride for forgiveness.

Jesus, grow humility in my heart so I may become as gracious and loving as You are to those around me.

St. Turibius of Mongrovejo, pray for us.

Daniel saves Susanna’s life by exposing the truth and revealing the evil intentions of the two elders. In a world that is constantly at odds with many aspects of the Gospel teaching, we need to stand up for our faith and let the witness of our lives convey the Gospel truth to the world.

⁴¹ The assembly condemned Susanna to death. ⁴² But Susanna cried aloud: “O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be: ⁴³ you know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things with which these wicked men have charged me.” ⁴⁴ The Lord heard her prayer. ⁴⁵ As she was being led to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel, ⁴⁶ and he cried aloud: “I will have no part in the death of this woman.” ⁴⁷ All the people turned and asked him, “What is this you are saying?” ⁴⁸ He stood in their midst and continued, “Are you such fools, O children of Israel! To condemn a woman of Israel without examination and without clear evidence? ⁴⁹ Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her.” ⁵⁰ Then all the people returned in haste. To Daniel the elders said, “Come, sit with us and inform us, since God has given you the prestige of old age.” ⁵¹ But he replied, “Separate these two far from one another that I may examine them.” ⁵² After they were separated one from the other, he called one of them and said: “How you have grown evil with age! Now have your past sins come to term: ⁵³ passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent, and freeing the guilty, although the Lord says, ‘The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.’ ⁵⁴ Now, then, if you were a witness, tell me under what tree you saw them together.” ⁵⁵ “Under a mastic tree,” he answered. “Your fine lie has cost you your head,” said Daniel; “for the angel of God shall receive the sentence from him and split you in two.” ⁵⁶ Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought. Daniel said to him, “Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah, beauty has seduced you, lust has subverted your conscience. ⁵⁷ This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel, and in their fear they yielded to you; but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your wickedness. ⁵⁸ Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together.” ⁵⁹ “Under an oak,” he said. Daniel replied, “Your fine lie has cost you also your head, for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two so as to make an end of you both.” ⁶⁰ The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those that hope in him. ⁶¹ They rose up against the two elders, for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of perjury. According to the law of Moses, they inflicted on them the penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor: 62 they put them to death. Thus was innocent blood spared that day.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

R: Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; ³ he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. ⁴ Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) ⁵ You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) ⁶ Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)

Gospel | John 8:1-11

The ministry of Jesus is one of forgiveness—something we all need because we have sinned. The crowd disperses because Jesus challenges their hypocrisy in judging the woman caught in sin. Mercy and forgiveness are the most powerful forces at work in the world. They stem from the decision to love and to walk with each other in our faith journey. Let us remember what Jesus teaches us in today’s Gospel and live it out.

Gospel Acclamation

I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live.

¹ Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ² 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. ³ Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. ⁴ They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. ⁵ Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ⁶ 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. ⁷ 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.” ⁸ Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

Reflect

“Forgiveness is, above all, a personal choice, a decision of the heart to go against the natural instinct to pay back evil with evil.”(St. Pope John Paul II)

Read the Bible in one year! Read GENESIS 37 - 39 today.

The woman stood at the center of the circle, her heart pounding amidst the accusing voices around her. The Pharisees had caught her in the act of adultery, and now they sought judgment from Jesus. Their eyes gleamed with self-righteousness, certain they had trapped Him. Would He uphold the Law of Moses and call for her stoning? Or would He contradict the Law and lose His credibility?

Jesus remained calm. He bent down and traced something on the ground. Then, without looking up, He spoke words that silenced the crowd: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one, they left, until no one remained but the woman and Jesus. She braced herself, expecting condemnation, but instead, His voice was gentle: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, do not sin anymore.” Mercy had been extended to her—not as a dismissal of her sins, but as an invitation to change.

The Church has always echoed this call. She is neither a place of exclusion nor a sanctuary for the perfect. She is a home for the broken, the repentant, and the seeking. Yet, this inclusivity does not mean an abandonment of truth. The Church does not redefine morality to suit the shifting sands of culture.

Love does not affirm everything; true love desires the good of the other. To embrace someone fully means to lead them to truth, even when it challenges them. The woke culture may demand validation of all choices, but Jesus showed a different way—He welcomed sinners without approving sin. 

The Church does not throw stones, but neither does She rewrite God’s commandments. She stands as Christ did, offering mercy while pointing to a higher calling. “Go and sin no more”—these words are not an exclusion but the most profound invitation to true and lasting love. 

Fr. Toto Cerada, SDB

reflection question

This Lent, how is Jesus calling you to embrace His mercy while also committing to a life of true conversion?

Lord of Mercy and Truth, open my heart to Your forgiveness and lead me in the path of holiness. May I embrace Your love and turn away from sin. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________________________