NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU

Monday, week 5 of Lent - ‘I am innocent of this woman’s death!’

First Reading Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62 Susanna and the elders

In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim. He had married Susanna daughter of Hilkiah, a woman of great beauty; and she was God-fearing, because her parents were worthy people and had instructed their daughter in the Law of Moses. Joakim was a very rich man, and had a garden attached to his house; the Jews would often visit him since he was held in greater respect than any other man. Two elderly men had been selected from the people that year to act as judges. Of such the Lord said, ‘Wickedness has come to Babylon through the elders and judges posing as guides to the people.’ These men were often at Joakim’s house, and all who were engaged in litigation used to come to them. At midday, when everyone had gone, Susanna used to take a walk in her husband’s garden. The two elders, who used to watch her every day as she came in to take her walk, gradually began to desire her. They threw reason aside, making no effort to turn their eyes to heaven, and forgetting its demands of virtue. So they waited for a favourable moment; and one day Susanna came as usual, accompanied only by two young maidservants. The day was hot and she wanted to bathe in the garden. There was no one about except the two elders, spying on her from their hiding place. She said to the servants, ‘Bring me some oil and balsam and shut the garden door while I bathe.’..........

Responsorial Psalm: If I should walk in the valley of darkness, no evil would I fear.

Gospel  John 8:1-11 'Let the one among you who has not sinned be the first to throw a stone'

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak he appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them.

The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making 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. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he 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 he 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. He 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 do not sin any more.’

My loving Father, merciful God, I thank you for your compassion. Father, thank you for your protection. Thank you for your loving kindness. Father, you are shepherd, my sole provider. Father, thank you, you are all sufficient. My God I am confidence of your goodness and kindness.  I will dwell in your house for in your presence Lord, there is peace. Jesus, my Shepherd, I trust in you. You are my life. Virgin Mary, pray for me. Saint Joseph, pray for me. My Angel Guardian, pray for me.

AELF: « MOI NON PLUS, JE NE TE CONDAMNE PAS»

lundi, 5ème Semaine de Carême

« Je suis innocent de la mort de cette femme ! » 

Évangile Jean 8, 1-11

« Celui d’entre vous qui est sans péché, qu’il soit le premier à lui jeter une pierre »

En ce temps-là, Jésus s’en alla au mont des Oliviers. Dès l’aurore, il retourna au Temple. Comme tout le peuple venait à lui, il s’assit et se mit à enseigner.

Les scribes et les pharisiens lui amènent une femme qu’on avait surprise en situation d’adultère. Ils la mettent au milieu, et disent à Jésus : « Maître, cette femme a été surprise en flagrant délit d’adultère. Or, dans la Loi, Moïse nous a ordonné de lapider ces femmes-là. Et toi, que dis-tu ? » Ils parlaient ainsi pour le mettre à l’épreuve, afin de pouvoir l’accuser. Mais Jésus s’était baissé et, du doigt, il écrivait sur la terre. Comme on persistait à l’interroger, il se redressa et leur dit : « Celui d’entre vous qui est sans péché, qu’il soit le premier à lui jeter une pierre. » Il se baissa de nouveau et il écrivait sur la terre. Eux, après avoir entendu cela, s’en allaient un par un, en commençant par les plus âgés. Jésus resta seul avec la femme toujours là au milieu. Il se redressa et lui demanda : « Femme, où sont-ils donc ? Personne ne t’a condamnée ? » Elle répondit : « Personne, Seigneur. » Et Jésus lui dit : « Moi non plus, je ne te condamne pas. Va, et désormais ne pèche plus. »

Mon Père aimant, Dieu miséricordieux, je te remercie pour ta compassion. Père, merci pour ta protection. Merci pour ta bonté. Père, tu es mon berger, mon seul pourvoyeur. Père, merci, pour tout. Mon Dieu, j'ai confiance en ta bonté et ta bienveillance. Je demeurerai dans ta maison, car en ta présence Seigneur, règne la paix. Jésus, mon Berger, j'ai confiance en toi. Tu es ma vie. Vierge Marie, priez pour moi. Saint Joseph, priez pour moi. Mon ange gardien, priez pour moi.