Lenten Reflection Day 33 ~ Friday of Passion Week

Day 33 ~ Friday of Passion Week:

Opening Prayers:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Confiteor (see Day 1).

Scripture Reading (John 8:1–11):

“Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives… And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery… They said this tempting Him… But Jesus, bowing Himself down, wrote with His finger on the ground… And they hearing this, went out one by one… And Jesus said to her: ‘Woman, hath no man condemned thee?’ She said: ‘No man, Lord.’ And Jesus said: ‘Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.’”

Reflection:

Today begins Passiontide, the final two weeks of Lent when the Church intensifies its focus on the sufferings of Christ. Crosses are veiled. The Gospel shifts into sharper confrontation between Christ and His adversaries. And today’s Gospel is a poignant glimpse into both divine justice and divine mercy.

The woman caught in adultery was truly guilty. Her accusers, filled with malice, used her shame to trap Jesus. Would He uphold the Law and condemn her—or show mercy and violate it? In silence, Jesus writes in the dust, then answers: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” One by one, they leave. Jesus remains with the sinner, not to excuse her, but to restore her: “Go, and now sin no more.”

In this moment we see the essence of Lent: not condemnation, but conversion. Jesus does not deny the woman’s sin; rather, He forgives and calls her to new life. This is the God we serve—holy and merciful. He does not tolerate sin, but He does not abandon the sinner.

Each of us is the woman. We’ve been caught—maybe not in adultery, but in sin nonetheless. Christ sees us. He knows our guilt, yet His love invites repentance, not destruction.

Make a sincere examination of conscience today. If you haven’t yet gone to Confession this Lent, plan to do so. Let Jesus look at your soul and say: “Neither do I condemn thee. Go, and sin no more.”

Saintly Insight:

St. Mary of Egypt, a fifth-century penitent, lived for many years in grievous sin before experiencing a deep conversion upon entering a church in Jerusalem. She fled to the desert, spending decades in penance and prayer. Her story, like the woman’s in today’s Gospel, reminds us that no soul is beyond redemption if it turns wholeheartedly to God.

Closing Prayers:

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

V: Let us bless the Lord.

R: Thanks be to God.

V: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R: Amen.