The Daily Office for February 7, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 78:1-39
Genesis 26:1-6, 12-33
Hebrews 13:17-25
John 7:53-8:11
Reading (Psalm 80)
Reflection
Today's Gospel reading concerns a woman caught in adultery who was brought by the scribes and Pharisees to Christ. The Feast of Tabernacles had just been celebrated and acts of immorality during that festive week were not unusual. The scribes attempted to put Christ in a dilemma. If He answered that the woman should be stoned, He would be violating the Roman law which forbade such acts. If He answered that she should not be stoned, He would be violating Moses’ law (bible-hover Deuteronomy 22:24). They did this to tempt Him (Gr peirazo, “to entice to sin”).
There are several theories about what Christ wrote on the ground. First, that He wrote the sins of the scribes and Pharisees. Second, that He wrote the Ten Commandments. Third, that He wrote a message to the Pharisees. After pressing the issue, Christ answered the accusers. In answering, He did not abolish Moses’ law; rather, He applied that law to the lives of those who had accused the woman. Again, He wrote on the ground and they left; probably not out of conviction, but rather they had been defeated in their attempt to trap the Son of God. She was then left alone with the only person who was perfect and able to condemn her. In mercy and love, He forgave her and told her to go and sin no more.
Forgiveness is a gift that not only blesses the forgiven but the forgiver. If you have hard feelings and anger toward someone, pray that God will give you a heart of compassion and a willingness to turn the other cheek. It's the only way both you and the other person will be able to move forward with peace of mind and heart.
Collect for the Day
Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity: give your people grace so to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, among the many changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.