The Gospel reading was about the well-known story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). In today’s language, we might say she was caught “red-handed.” The Pharisees dragged her before Jesus, eager to trap Him, to force Him into choosing between the strict application of their law and the mercy for which He was known.
The priest began his homily by speaking about the late former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick who was once one of the highest-ranking officials in the American Catholic Church. In fact, he was once the head of the Diocese, Newark. McCarrick also was laicized after multiple investigations found him culpable of numerous allegations in 2018, primarily of a sexual nature. He was removed from all clerical status and spent his final days in a nursing home in Missouri, where he recently died at the age of 94.
Interestingly, the priest noted that The New York Times published an extensive obituary upon McCarrick’s death. Even though he had been stripped of his title within the Church, the secular media still referred to him as a former cardinal — a reflection, perhaps, of the enduring public weight of his story.
But what moved me most was how the priest connected this news story to the Gospel.
When the woman was brought before Jesus, her accusers stood ready to stone her, a very painful punishment at the time certain that her sins warranted death according to the law. But Jesus intervened, saying, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to cast a stone.” One by one, her accusers slipped away, realizing their own sins disqualified them from passing ultimate judgment.
Then Jesus turned to the woman and asked, “Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” And Jesus responded with words that echo through the ages: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.”
The priest reminded us that while the consequences of sin are real, as seen in McCarrick’s removal from ministry and the damage caused, judgment belongs ultimately to God. Justice is necessary, but so is mercy. The balance between truth and compassion is at the heart of the Gospel.
He ended the homily by challenging us not to focus so much on the sins of others, public figures or otherwise, but to turn inward and confront the sin within our own hearts. Like the woman in the Gospel, we are all in need of mercy. And like her, we are all called to hear those same liberating words from Christ:
“Go, and sin no more.”
God bless you, and have a wonderful week and be a blessing to others wherever you go.
Pal Ronnie
Happy Sunday!
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