: Judgement. Mercy without judgment is
: meaningless. A woman and Jesus meet. She is an adulteress and, in the eyes of the Law, liable to be stoned. Jesus, through his preaching and the total gift of himself that would lead him to the Cross, returned the Mosaic Law to its true and original intent. Here what is central is not the law or legal justice, but the love of God, which is capable of looking into the heart of each person and seeing the deepest desire hidden there; God’s love must take primacy over all else. This Gospel account, however, is not an encounter of sin and judgement in the abstract, but of a sinner and her Saviour. Jesus looked that woman in the eye and read in her heart a desire to be understood, forgiven and set free. The misery of sin was clothed with the mercy of love. Jesus’ only judgement is one filled with mercy and compassion for the condition of this sinner. To those who wished to judge and condemn her to death, Jesus replies with a lengthy silence. His purpose was to let God’s voice be heard in the consciences not only of the woman, but also in those of her accusers, who drop their stones and one by one leave the scene (cf. Jn 8:9). Jesus then says: “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?… Neither do I condemn you. Go your way and from now on do not sin again” (vv. 10-11). Jesus helps the woman to look to the future with hope and to make a new start in life. Henceforth, if she so desires, she can “walk in charity” (Eph 5:2). Once clothed in mercy, even if the inclination to sin remains, it is overcome by the love that makes it possible for her to look ahead and to live her life differently.
: Let's take another example, Matthew 23:1-39
(Misericordia Et Misera, 2016. My emphasis.)
: Pretty harsh, condemning words for the
: Pharisees..Was Jesus being NON-JUDGMENTAL
: then ?
This continues the theme even more stridently.
When Jesus encounters an individual labelled by society as a 'sinner' either in his ministry or via the stories he tells, he challenges those around him to look beyond judging and opt for mercy and compassion.
But, as in the original story, Jesus reserves particular venom for those who seek to judge or condemn especially in the name of God. It is an explicit, consistent theme.
It is in this context that Jesus later talks about those who would 'lead you astray' and those 'false prophets'.
: Yes, you're unfamiliar with the Amoris
: Laetitia controversy?
Yes, but to call this a 'great debate' is, IMO, a great exaggeration.
I suspect some of the teachings of Pope Leo XIII would have caused much greater consternation!
: Fortunately it's not up to some, it's not up
: to anybody..it's up to GOD and he
: communicates His Judgement through His
: Church...if you BELIEVE that ??
I do my best, Pete.
Responses
« Back to index | View thread »