When the Lenten Ministerium Service among the local Freeport Churches and Sowers Chapel began on Thursday, March 14th, and held every Thursday since then until this coming Thursday, April 11th, the revolving theme was “Return to Me with all your Heart”. This theme is actually what Lent is all about. We are called to return to the Lord with all our heart because of the fact that every day, whether we are aware or unaware, we commit mistakes or sins in either thoughts, words or actions.
The gospel this Sunday is one example of this. The Scribes and the Pharisees accused a woman of committing adultery and they brought her to Jesus, not because they were after the welfare of the woman, but rather to test Jesus how He would handle it, knowing that by law she deserved to be stoned to death. To their surprise, Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. And He told them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her”. Jesus said this because He knew what was in their hearts. As a result, they were the ones who became speechless. No one threw a stone at the woman because all of them were guilty of sin in one way or another. All of them left without condemning the woman. Finally, Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin anymore”.
These words of Jesus are also what we hear every time we go to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He never condemns us. Instead, He lets His love and mercy manifest towards us with the invitation to go in peace and sin no more.
Our Regional Lenten Penance Service has begun and it once again gives us an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It would be good if we can devote a time to examine our lives, how we lived out our daily lives. How did we treat others? Were we critical and judgmental of them? Did we hurt them by our words and actions? Or did we love, forgive and show our kindness towards them.
St. Pope John Paul II, in his apostolic exhortation “Reconciliation and Penance”, said it is every Christian’s duty to promote God’s love and forgiveness in the community. He has a point because life, after all, is about love, forgiveness, peace and joy, which God desires for us all.