“We heard two powerful stories: Susanna, falsely accused by those who should have protected her, and the woman caught in adultery, dragged before Jesus and publicly shamed.
Both stories are about sin…but more deeply, they are about how we treat others when they fall.
The Temptation to Judge
In the Gospel, the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus. They are quick to point out her sin. They are ready to condemn her.
If we are honest, we can sometimes be like them.
It is easy to judge quickly, talk about others’ mistakes, feel a little “better” when we see others fail.
Sometimes we do not throw stones with our hands…but we throw them with our words: gossip, criticism, harsh comments, and even silent judgment in our hearts.
The elders in the first reading judged Susanna falsely. The people in the Gospel judged the woman harshly.
And the question for us is: How do we treat people who make mistakes?
Jesus teaches us humility
Jesus responds in a very surprising way. He says: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.”
One by one, they walk away. Why?
Because they realize something important: They are not perfect either.
This is the beginning of conversion: not just seeing the sins of others…but recognizing our own.
Lent is not a time to point fingers. It is a time to examine our own lives.
Before we say: “Grabe kaayo siya…” maybe we should first ask: “Lord, unsa may akong mga sala?”
Because the truth is: we all need God’s mercy.
Mercy does not ignore sin—but heals it
After everyone leaves, Jesus tells the woman: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and do not sin anymore.”
This is beautiful. Jesus does not say, “There is no sin.” But He also does not humiliate her. He gives her something new: a chance to begin again.
That is what God offers to each one of us this Lent. No matter what we have done…no matter how many times we have failed… God is not waiting to condemn us. He is waiting to forgive us.
That is why the Church invites us: go to confession, return to prayer, come back to the Lord. Because God never gets tired of forgiving.
Put Down the Stones
So today, the message is simple: Put down the stones: the stone of judgment, the stone of gossip, and the stone of pride. And instead choose understanding, choose kindness, and choose mercy.
Because one day, we will also stand before God—not as judges of others, but as sinners in need of His mercy.”