Reflection for Passion Sunday 2025

Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

God uses imagery so we might clearly understand His intent for us, the picture He envisions for us. May God’s imagery help us to achieve the vision He has for us.

This week God’s set of images call us to self-reflection and a merciful attitude toward all.

As many of you know, and occasionally see, I get emotional when I proclaim certain of the gospels. I mentioned this last week, and those who were at our Seniorate Lenten Retreat may have picked up on that as I led the Seven Last Words devotion.

We call this conviction. Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit where an individual is confronted with what God sees. We face the guilt we know we have and realize we are unable to save ourselves. Further, we get overwhelmed as we consider our guilt in light of God’s tremendous mercy. His love overpowers the sentence we deserve.

In the Passion we see Jesus telling the good thief that he will be with Him in paradise. The good thief’s effort to seek forgiveness is enough for Jesus to welcome him. In the parable of the Prodigal, we see both sons’ sinfulness set aside by a father whose forgiveness and mercy is limitless. We see the image of our heavenly Father waiting for us as we return.

Today we see two sets of sinners standing before Jesus. The prostitute, obviously being manipulated as sex workers so often are, is used here to trap Jesus. That does not discount her sin, but it is minor compared to the allegedly righteous who brought her there. The others, they are masters of manipulation, deceit, and an inner anger that causes them to hate God Himself. A stark reminder that we must not judge.

Jesus attempts to break through. By ignoring the accusers, He points out His knowledge of their evil. In His mercy He attempts to convict them of their sin, but they will not accept that conviction. They merely walk away. What a loss!

For the woman Jesus does indeed break through. He doesn’t question or interrogate her. She does not make excuses. Rather, she accepts His mercy and His instruction: from now on do not sin any more.”

Over this Passiontide, listen and allow Jesus in. Then accept His mercy. Finally, like St. Paul, forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead.

Reflection for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

Thank you for joining today as we continue our Ordinary Time journey focused on listening to, obeying, and witnessing to Jesus.

You may recall St. Paul’s famous line in his letter to the Church at Rome, If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31). It is a comforting and reassuring statement founded upon deep faith.

If we read the fuller context in Romans 8 we see an excellent description of what it means to live in Jesus. Faith frees us from condemnation, from the law of sin and death. Faith has us alive in the Spirit, no longer in the flesh. We are no longer bound or held down. We have life and peace. We are sons and daughters. Eternal life is ours. Glory awaits us.

There is so much more, I urge you to read Romans 8 this week and to read it slowly. Savor what we have and what awaits us.

The question comes down to – who is us? If God is for us, who is against us?

Our first reading from Isaiah sets forth a vision and a promise concerning The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD.

We all were strangers once, outsiders, dwelling in the realm of the world, but once we set that old way aside and step on that first rung of the ladder to heaven, when we come into the Church, we are set apart in a new life based on faith. As we enter through waters of baptism we rise to new life, Kingdom life. This is what Paul is speaking about in our Epistle from Romans 11. We have all been given an opportunity to enter. Remembering that helps us in being open to all who might enter as well.

We must be very careful, brothers and sisters, about this entering thing, about this us thing. The care we need to exercise and the inclusion we practice must be that of Jesus who includes based on faith alone.

The story of the Canaanite woman is a faith test story. Jesus’ initial rejection of her teaches a lesson about us and who is part of us. We are to welcome all into us based only on faith experienced in togetherness and fellowship. 

Our faith and likeness to Jesus is constantly tested, especially when we encounter unexpected people. The woman’s example – and the provision of Jesus’ grace depend on our having open hearts and willingness to work with all as they approach God in faith.