Someone shared the story about a frog wanting to climb up to the top of the well to see the light, but the other frogs discouraged him shouting; “ It’s impossible, forget about it, you won’t make it. “ He climbed anyway and reached the top. How? Why? The frog was deaf.
On this Fifth Sunday of Lent, St. John’s Gospel 8: 1-11 is about the scribes and Pharisees who brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery and that she deserves death by stoning. To test him, they then asked his opinion. Jesus said;” Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And in response, they went away one by one beginning with the eldest. Jesus asked her whether anyone condemned her, “ No one sir,” she said. “ Neither will I condemn you.” Go and from now on do not sin anymore,”
Not denying her wrongdoing, the woman didn’t pay attention to the mob’s accusation, but with hope and courage turned to Jesus for refuge. Though not condoning her sin, she found an ally with the Lord who said, ” Neither will I condemn you. Go, and from now on, do not sin anymore.”
Jesus showed compassion and rescued her when the crowd demanded death for her. Perhaps worse than the accusation was the shame she endured before the public. She lost face, she lost her respectability, her honor, and will never recover her image shattered to pieces. When we are in moral destitution and humble ourselves, Jesus embraces us with his grace and mercy, and restores us to wholeness.
There’s no sin that God can’t forgive. The Lord showed love, he was motivated by mercy not justice. Jesus reveals the image of his merciful Father who does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person but the Lord looks at the heart. The Lord wants to bring out the best in us no matter how bad we can be. Jesus’ mercy has no expiry period. Psalm 136:1 says: “ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good his mercy endures forever.”
All will come to end someday, bad and good. What will matter then is not what you acquired, but what you shared, not your accomplishments, but your humility, not your expertise, but your character, not your fame, but your honesty, not your eloquent talks, but your good life.
Here are Steve Job’s last words: “ At this moment, when I’m lying on my sickbed, I keep recalling of my life. I realize those I was proud of…and the pursuit of wealth no-stop, will only make one become a twisted monster, just like the portrait of my life. I realize that those I was proud of; social reputation and wealth have become meaningless unattractive, charmless, meaningless in the face of death.”
On the flip side, someone said that we should aspire to be a giver of love, a giver of good vibes, and a giver of strength. Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking. When you wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen, you’ll often find out that you’re right. Worrying will never change the outcome. Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. Do everything with love in your heart. Amen on that folks!!
St. Faustina wrote Jesus’ words; “ I am always in your heart; not only when you receive me in Holy Communion, but always.” ( Diary 575). Pray the Divine Mercy every 3 p.m. Daily pray the Holy Rosary for peace in our families and in the world.