Breaking the Word

5^th week in Lent, Tuesday – 5^th April 2022 — Gospel: Jn 8,21-30

Being Misunderstood

When Jesus speaks of his departure, he is misunderstood. The Jewish leaders think of suicide, but Jesus speaks of laying down his life of his own accord for the salvation of all. The reason why they misunderstand is because they and Jesus stand on opposite sides. They are from below and of this world, Jesus is from above and not of this world. If they want to change their position, they can only do so by recognizing Jesus, as God. The leaders are not able to do this and continue to show that they have completely misunderstood Jesus in the question they ask. Jesus affirms that he has told them from the beginning who he is. He is the one sent by God and it is God who affirms and confirms him.

5^th week in Lent, Monday – 4^th April 2022 – John 8,1-11

Judgmental Accusers

The woman’s accusers state that she has been “caught in the very act of committing adultery” (8,4). But the religious leaders clearly have no real concern for the fate of the woman. They were out to get Jesus. They neither cared about the injured husband or the partner in adultery, who has been left free apparently. The Law of Moses, to which the accusers refer, prescribes the death penalty for both the man and the woman involved (Lev 20,10; Deut 22,22-24). Although the scene focuses on the woman and issues of sexual sin, the text demonstrates equally the motivation and the judgmental attitudes of the accusers. Their concern for the woman is not the issue here, while she merely supports the scene. They wish to exhibit Jesus at the trial. But Jesus not only challenges the leaders to think about their sinfulness, but looks beyond the sin of the woman.