Our Great Journey
This week is Our Great Journey at Home.
The theme is “Throwing Stones” based on John 8:1-11/ Juan 8:1-11
All pray the Sign of the Cross
Lord Jesus Christ, as we look at the crucifix, we remember your suffering, we see your love. May this reminder of your sacrifice help us to give ourselves to others. May we become more loving. Amen.
In addition to our prayers from the heart, our prayer for April is The Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
Using the Bible, invite a family member to read the Gospel aloud.
Things to talk about:
- The woman in this Gospel story was caught doing something wrong. How do you think she felt when the leaders brought her to Jesus?
- What lesson is Jesus trying to teach the scribes and Pharisees? How does this lesson apply to us?
- Jesus forgives the woman and tells her to sin no more. Do you think the woman changed her ways after she encountered Jesus’ mercy? Why or why not?
- Think about the woman in this Gospel and imagine that you were one of the people with a stone in your hand. Would you have condemned her?
- Was there a time in this past week when you had to ask someone for forgiveness? Did someone ask you?
Things to do:
- Jesus forgives the woman in today’s Gospel. This week, forgive someone who has wronged you, whether they are sorry or not.
- If you haven’t received the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a while, this would be a great week to do that. Click Here for the Reconciliation schedule.
- The priest is guided by a large red book called the Roman Missal. How many times does he read from this book during Mass?
Closing Prayer
Run to the Father
Listen to the song “Run to the Father” by Matt Maher, Cody Carnes, and Ran Jackson. Reflect on the lyrics, what they mean to you, and how they relate to this Gospel.
Name those who need our prayers.
Catholic Insights
God’s love for us is impossible to fully comprehend. In this Gospel, Jesus gives us a glimpse of how God’s love for us saves us and brings us to new life.
The scribes and the Pharisees approach Jesus, bringing a woman who has been caught in the act of adultery. They put to Jesus the question of what ought to be done in this case. To answer the Pharisees’ question, Jesus must propose an action that will be either contrary to the Law of Moses or contrary to Roman law.
Jesus avoids the trap, by offering an answer that was not anticipated by those who posed the question. Jesus, after writing on the ground with his finger, addresses those who stand before him and suggests that the one without sin cast the first stone. (This is the only evidence we have of Jesus writing, yet there are no specific details of what he wrote.)
With no one remaining to condemn the woman, Jesus (the one who truly is without sin) sends the woman on her way, refusing to pass judgment on her and tells her to sin no more.
Jesus’ response to those who accuse the woman is more than a caution to us about making judgment of others. It is a profound lesson in divine mercy and forgiveness. As sinners, we are all unworthy to judge the sins of others. Redeemed by Jesus’ compassion, we are sent to sin no more and to live in God’s love and peace.
A good mantra for this gospel is “Forgive her. Change me.” It reminds us to not throw stones, show mercy and seek personal change.
Special thanks to Jaime Szalay for permission to use her artwork, “Jesus writing in the sand.”
Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection
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