An endless river of mercy, forgiveness and compassion

God's endless mercy!

[53 Then each went to his own house, 1 while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.[b] 2 But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. 4 They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.[c] So what do you say?” 6 They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.[d] 7 [e]But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. 10 Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on do not sin any more.”]-John8:1-11

One of my favorite acts of mercy of Jesus. The woman was caught in the very act of adultery, no doubt about that. (What about the man involved? Isn't it true that it takes '2 to tango?') The woman was not given a chance to defend herself and was given immediately a death sentence, no doubt about that. But Jesus never said, "It's your fault" or "You brought it upon yourself" or "You're not careful, that's why." Jesus never judged, never condemned even if the woman was more than guilty of adultery. He showed mercy, forgiveness and compassion. Rather than condemning like the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus gave new hope, healing and a brand new beginning to the woman. Jesus believed that there is something good in the woman and is capable of great change for herself.

Jesus, too, believes that we are capable of good and great changes for ourselves. He is here to support us, believe in us and be with us, even if there's no one around.

Image courtesy: The Passion of the Christ