Read this week’s readings here.

 

In John 8:4-5, The Pharisees were setting a trap for Jesus.  “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?”  If Jesus agreed with the Pharisees and said to stone her, he could be arrested because only the Romans were allowed to carry out capital punishments. If he said not to, the Pharisees could rebuke Him for dismissing the law of Moses.

Examine Yourself

St. Bede in his homilies of the Gospels asserts that when Jesus bends low to the ground in John 8:6, He is teaching us to examine ourselves in humility before speaking about anyone else. He then challenges the Pharisees right back, in John 8:7. “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

 

The Pharisees and onlookers leave, one by one, until only Jesus and the woman are left.  Here Jesus offers her His forgiveness, and tells her to sin no more. In John 8:11, “She replied, ‘No one, sir.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on do not sin any more.'”  He does not condone her actions, but He forgives her, and challenges her to take a new path of good.

 

These links are articles I used for researching the Friday Update.

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/12-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-prodigal-son
https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/faith/scripture-resources/commentaries/the-gospel-of-luke/luke-1511-32/

 

I use the USCCB NAB Bible and its footnotes extensively.

 

I also use the Ignatius Study Bible, which can be found here:

There is currently no online version.