Disqualified From Throwing Stones
- davidwperk
- Dec 11, 2024
- 7 min read
Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The week of the second Sunday in Advent
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel 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?’ 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.’
You will find the full text of this reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 931)
AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48
Isa. 6:1-13; 2 Thess. 1:1-12; John 7:53-8:11
Today we celebrate the Feast of Frederick Howden, Jr. (See below.)
David's Reflections
Robert McAfee Brown gives us a chuckle with this ditty:
THE LITTLE LESSON CHURCH HISTORY TEACHES US ALL
The power of hell is strongest where
The odor of sanctity fills the air.*
That odor of sanctity fills the air in today’s reading. Why did the Scribes and Pharisees bring this woman to Jesus? She had been caught in the act of sexual sin and the Law made provision for the stoning of both parties. Where was the man? We do not know. His absence only heightens the sense of oppression of the feminine. Historical evidence does indicate that stonings actually took place in Jesus' day in similar cases. The best guess probably would be that the religious leaders were resentful of Jesus' particular concern for tax collectors and sinners. His behavior challenged their position and practice regarding these outcasts. They felt forced to this extreme to undermine his position and his popularity by exposing his disregard for the Law.
Jesus bent down and doodled in the dust on the Temple floor. He obviously was aware of the lack of integrity in their question. The woman meant nothing to them; they were using her to get at Jesus. He disassociated himself from them and did not answer their question. They persisted so strongly that he straightened up, looked at them, and agreed with their verdict. They should stone her. However, he placed a challenge before them, a challenge that questioned their competence to exercise such a weighty judgment. "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
That does not mean that they were guilty of the same offense. Rather, Jesus is making an argument that we find in Matthew 7:1-6; 23:28 and Romans 2:1, 22, namely that their righteousness was superficial, a disguise for their own unacknowledged sinfulness. That sinfulness, with its accompanying lack of vision and awareness, rendered them unfit as witnesses and executioners. His remark also would make them appear self-righteous were they to proceed. The first stone-thrower would be proclaiming his own sinlessness.
Jesus resumed his effort to disassociate by bending over and writing again in the dust. The accusers melted away, leaving Jesus alone with the woman. After inquiring where her accusers had gone, he told her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again."
This text alerts me to two dangers. First, when we are particularly negative about the behavior of another, it may be that their brokenness or evil has touched a similar place in us, perhaps not because our brokenness or evil is the same but because we have not acknowledged ours. Second, we may at times forget that God has no interest in condemning or punishing any of us. Rather, God seeks our deliverance, wholeness, and transformation.
Perhaps we can remember that and forego the shameful avoidance of God and church that feeling sinful might evoke. Perhaps we can avoid the feeling of isolation within community generated by our hiding our sinfulness. Perhaps we also will be more careful regarding others, careful not to be destructive in what we say to or about others and careful not to shun or avoid them. The religious leaders mistreated the woman; may we not emulate their behavior by mistreating others.
Thanks be to God that Jesus would say to us, "I do not condemn you. Go and do not sin again." And, thanks be to God that he would empower us to live in such a way that the routine repetition of former evils can come to an end. Thanks be to God for an absolute lack of that hellish odor of sanctity in Jesus. May we accept that we are disqualified from stone throwing and free that hand for the embrace of our own sinfulness and of those preparing to duck our throws.
* Robert McAfee Brown, The Collected Writings of St. Hereticus (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1964), p. 104.
Collect of the Day, The Second Sunday of Advent
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 211)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Frederick Howden, Jr., priest and Army chaplain (died 11 Dec 1942 CE)
Collect of the Feast of Frederick Howden, Jr
Almighty God, our sure defense: We give you thanks for your servant[s] Frederick Howden, [N.___] and all military chaplains who provided comfort and inspiration in time of battle; and, following the example of Jesus the Good Shepherd, laid down their lives in the service of others. Inspire and strengthen us, also, for the duties of life still before us, that we may be faithful to the end; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Protection
O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 124)
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen. (BCP, 461)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Almighty, everlasting God, let our prayer in your sight be as incense, the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice. Give us grace to behold you, present in your Word and Sacraments, and to recognize you in the lives of those around us. Stir up in us the flame of that love which burned in the heart of your Son as he bore his passion, and let it burn in us to eternal life and to the ages of ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)
Daily Office Gospel Reading, 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 Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 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
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