The new that God is doing springs forth now in Jesus.  Those with chauvinist mentality do not see this newness that acknowledges the dignity and responsibility of women (Benedict XVI).

Joseph finds out that Mary is carrying in her womb a child that is not his.  But since he is a righteous man, he has in mind to divorce her quietly.  He does not want to expose her to shame.  Undoubtedly, then, Joseph acknowledges Mary’s dignity and responsibility.

But the scribes and the Pharisees mean to deal openly with the woman they say was caught in adultery.  For they bring her to Jesus as people hear him teach, making her stand in the middle.

And they do not feel for her; her dignity means nothing to them.  For one thing, not only are they bent on shaming her.  They also want to see her die while people stone her.  In other words, they have already condemned her, without letting her speak, her partner getting away, too, unpunished.  Do they give dignity to him that they deny to her?

For another thing, they simply use her, under the pretext of upholding the law, to trap Jesus.  And in view of this, and in the light of Joseph’s righteousness, one may ask:  How true is the strict observance of the scribes and the Pharisees?  One may, moreover, wonder if they even recognize the dignity of the law.  Let alone see the newness that calls them to strain forward to what lies ahead.

And such newness means that, while the law is given through Moses, grace comes through Jesus Christ (Jn 1, 17).  That Jesus is here not to condemn, but to save (Jn 3, 17) and that mercy triumphs over judgment (Jas 2, 13).  He seeks and saves the lost (Lk 19, 10).  And that is just as well; we all need forgiveness.

Lord Jesus, we are all one in you, and so there is not male and female.  Grant that we acknowledge the dignity of everyone and thus see the new that you bring in.  And make us true to your Supper, never marginalizing nor bringing anyone to shame.   May we also be in step with Providence that calls women to serve in the Church of the Poor (see SV.EN XIIIb:432).

7 April 2019
Fifth Sunday of Lent (C)
Is 43, 16-21; Phil 3, 8-14; Jn 8, 1-11