Compassionate Accountability

Devotional Reflection, Tuesday, February 6, 2024

The week of the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading;

3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, 4they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ . . . . 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 947)

AM Psalm 78:1-39; PM Psalm 78:40-72

Gen. 26:1-6,12-33; Heb. 13:17-25; John 7:53-8:11

David’s Reflections

This story has had trouble finding a home.  Most manuscripts of John do not include it.  You can note that in the footnotes in your Bible.  Most modern translations put the passage in double brackets with a note that it does not appear in many ancient manuscripts.  Among those manuscripts that do include it, this story can be found in three other locations (earlier in John 7, in John 21, and in Luke 21).  The language and style do not match that of John, and the story interrupts the flow of the narrative in its present location.

The incident has such a ring of authenticity that it generally is regarded as a genuine incident in Jesus’ life.  We do know that there is more to the story of Jesus than is contained in the four Gospels.  For instance, instance, the author of John’s Gospel observes near the end of his account that he has been selective in what got included and that much more could have been written had not space been limited. (See John 21:25.) Evidently, this authentic incident in Jesus’ life endured in the church’s memory until it found a lodging place in the written record.

Why was the early church so nervous about this story?  Why did it have difficulty finding a home in our New Testament?  One Scandinavian scholar speculated that the second century church, under persecution, was quite stern in dealing with moral lapses among its members.  However, as persecution eased, a more pastoral approach became prevalent and this story found its way into the canon of Scripture as a result.

In this story, Jesus found a way to walk between the extremes of condemning and destroying the person and taking her evil with less than full seriousness.  He maintained his own position of compassion for the outcast without repudiating the Law. And, he held her accountable for her future behavior. “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way and from now on do not sin again.”

I have wondered, with no evidence to reinforce that wondering, whether the sexual overtones of this passage and Jesus’ taking a less-than-harsh line with a woman guilty of sexual immorality may have resulted in its being suppressed.  Perhaps the story evoked anxieties among the Gospel writers.  If that has anything to do with the story’s “homelessness” in the Gospels, we could say that these were not the last Christians to be nervous about the issue of sexuality.    

The church in our day can generate all kinds of energy, including rage and indignation, when issues related to human sexuality march onto the stage.  This story should shock us into asking rather basic questions about our anxiety and anger.  In the face of the calm response of Jesus, perhaps we should walk gingerly down a path somewhat distant from the extremes in any heated debate. And, perhaps we can envision those guilty of sexual sin as capable of future right behavior. Jesus did in this instance.

Oh, and by the way, where was the male offender? Why did the religious leaders only retain the woman and bring her before Jesus? Just wondering.

Collect of the Day, Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (BCP, 216)

A Collect for the Renewal of Life

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (BCP, 99)

A Prayer of Self-Dedication

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray thee, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.   (BCP, 832-33)

A Collect for Early Evening

O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified:  Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.  (BCP, 100)

Daily Office Gospel, John 7:53-8:11

53Then each of them went home,

8:1while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, 4they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ 6They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ 8And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ 11She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’

Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer