Homily – Fifth Sunday Lent Year C

In recent weeks the broader focus of reconciliation comes into the picture with the parables of the Fig Tree and the Prodigal Son.  So far, our focus has been on prayer, giving alms and fasting. These practices are normally associated with someone undergoing a conversion.  Conversion is changing how we see and do things.  

Prayer is allowing our hearts and minds to converse with God.  Take for example, praying with the Scriptures, how we might arrive at a deeper understanding of the text, or how our sense of hope might make a resurgence.  Our heart is renewed whenever we perform an act of charity.  There is something innate about doing good to others – we can feel it.  Not having the usual luxuries of life, fasting helps us to appreciate the hunger of those in situations where food is scarce – our empathy grows.

This week we have the story of the woman dragged into a public space for something she committed.  The story highlights an attitude that some people might have towards sin and the sinner.  Some are ready to pounce on people’s faults and failings by making it public with the intention to humiliate them.  We even have a modern phrase for this; it’s called public shaming.  Shaming is a form of psychological punishment.

Jesus’ attitude towards the whole situation was different.  He waited for the Pharisees to leave one by one after recognising their own failings – only then, does he interact with her – in a private moment.  Jesus went about this tense yet delicate moment with such gentleness to the sinner but firmness to the persecutors.  At this point, her spirit must have been lifted and her sense of hope restored.  This is the power of reconciliation.

By encouraging her not to sin anymore he gives her a new way of seeing and doing things.

By Fr Hoang Dinh