READINGS FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C, SUNDAY 3RD APRIL, 2022
First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm: 125
Second Reading: Philippians 3:8-14
Gospel: John 8:1-11
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
GOD’S DIVINE MERCY IS INCONCEIVABLE AND INEXHAUSTIBLE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year C. In today’s reflection, we will examine the inconceivable and inexhaustible nature of God’s Divine Mercy.
It is reasonable to say that God’s wonderful personal attributes fill every inch of space throughout the universe. One of the most intrinsic attributes of God is His goodness. His dealings with us are based beyond our grasp on His goodness expressed in Divine Mercy. Sometimes, it is extremely difficult to believe how merciful God is to us sinners. God treats us with love and mercy instead of what we truly deserve as a result of our sins.
In respect of this, we recall what our merciful Lord Jesus Christ said to Saint Faustina “my daughter, tell the whole world about my inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of my tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of my mercy. The souls that will go to confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened”. (C f Diary 699).
Reflecting on today’s Gospel according to John in the light of the inconceivable and inexhaustible nature of God’s Divine Mercy, I agree with the prophet Isaiah that God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.
The Gospel of John describes how “the Scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand there in full view of everybody. They said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for something to use against him. As they persisted with their question, Jesus looked up and said, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then be bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. Jesus looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and don’t sin any more”. (John 8:1-11)
The Scribes and Pharisees told this story to test Jesus. I was fascinated by the reaction of Jesus to the whole incident.
Reflecting deep on the intentions of the Scribes and Pharisees the following pertinent questions challenge my mind. Why should they test Jesus in this case? Why would the Pharisees and Scribes punish the woman when the accomplice got away unpunished? Could this very act of injustice suggest the corrosion of our human society? Why should the Scribes and Pharisees be so blind that they took the knowledge of Jesus for granted?
When the woman was brought before Jesus, she was engrossed with fear, anxiety and hopelessness. Her encounter with Jesus was not pure coincidence. It was God’s Grace and Divine Mercy in action. They failed to know that Jesus is God. He is full of wisdom. He cannot be deceived with lies and merciless acts. Jesus noticed injustice and lack of Mercy. The Divine Mercy shown to the woman by the merciful Saviour made her realise her need for repentance and place her trust in God more deeply.
This Gospel passage has a lot to teach us. Jesus did not condemn sinners, but He condemned their sins. Jesus did not praise the downfall of sinners. He rejoiced, instead, in their repentance. His compassion brings about conversion. True forgiveness strengthens our faith.
This encounter shows the unlimited and boundless power of God’s Divine Mercy. God releases through His Divine Mercy unimaginable and unthinkable Graces to those who trust Him. The Divine Mercy of God is unfathomable and unrestrictive. The Divine Mercy of God is also boundless, endless, never-ending, unending and without end. However, God always tell sinners not to sin again.
Like the Pharisees and Scribes in Jesus’ time, we do not spare sinners embarrassment and public disgrace. Sometimes we rejoice at the faults and humiliations of others. We are challenged to examine ourselves instead of focusing on other people and to notice our own sins, be sorry about them and ask for forgiveness.
We are encouraged to recognize God’s unconditional love and gifts of Divine Grace and Mercy. Regardless of our many sins God always wants us to come back to him. The Merciful Saviour wants us to trust him more deeply.
We pray that God’s Divine Mercy will transform us and help us to enter into the joy of Christ’s resurrection. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM