The Gospel of John (8:3-11) tells is of God’s mercy in the interaction between Jesus and the woman caught in adultery.
The Pharisees drag this woman to Jesus in the hopes of convicting Him, not the woman. They dragged her through the streets saying she was caught in the act of adultery – I’ve always wondered, where is the man who was with her? But, that is for another time.
Jesus famously turns the tables on the Pharisees when He says, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (V. 7). The Pharisees all drop their stones and walk away, I’m sure reluctantly. But, no matter how angry, what man in his pride can throw a stone when all the others dropped theirs?
Jesus then looks up from the ground and asks the woman, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” (V. 10) In verse 11, she replies that no one is there to stand to condemn her. Then, we hear God’s inestimable mercy as Jesus replies, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” (V. 11)
This woman had committed a major sin. A sin against the Ten Commandments for which Moses outlined harsh and sure punishment; stoning. Weren’t the Pharisees correct with their condemnation? But, Jesus, the King of Mercy, gives her His Divine Mercy forgiving her of this horrible sin.
What awesome Divine Mercy and love!!
If God can forgive this grace sin, why do we so often not accept this mercy and forgiveness?
We go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation seeking God’s forgiveness for our sin. We receive God’s absolution or mercy then exit to pick up the baggage of our guilt. We see the bag of rocks that is our sin which we left at the door to the confessional and instead of accepting the forgiveness we just received, we pick up the weight again. Not accepting God’s Divine Mercy is like the woman picking up the stones from the circle surrounding her and banging them against her head.
In the Confessional, Jesus looks at us and says, “neither do I condemn you” when the priest says the words of absolution. Jesus asks if anyone condemns us, and we pick up the rocks of our guilt, answering “I condemn myself” as we throw those stones at ourselves.
Letting guilt take control of our hearts is not accepting the forgiveness of Gos and throwing stones at our own head.
Accept His words, neither does Jesus condemn you when you ask for His Mercy. Accept His Mercy.