Posted by The WORD in other words (2016) by Fr Gil Alejandria SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
5th Sunday of Lent – C
Everyone is familiar with the statement of Pope Francis that said, “Who am I to judge?” In the Sunday Gospel passage, Jesus conveyed a similar message. He said, “Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Being confronted with a sinner is a reminder that we are all sinners, although perhaps at different levels. When we refuse to judge someone, we follow Jesus’ example. We show that as sinners, we are not in a position to render judgment on a fellow sinner. We are leaving it to God. He knows the inner workings of a person’s heart. God decides what the fate of that person should be.
We are aware that a sinner always has the opportunity to change his ways and forsake sin. We know that God’s grace can enter his heart. It can lead him to conversion. As long as there is life, there is always a chance for conversion. This opportunity exists even in the last seconds of one’s life. This can be seen as a way of understanding the message of “Mercy and Compassion”. We acknowledge that too often we succumb to our human weaknesses. Only with God’s grace can we rise above our human frailties.
Our life is a constant struggle against our weaknesses and shortcomings. Some of us seem to be stronger, some not so. Our sense of compassion allows us to empathize with their suffering. We understand their struggles. We share what they are going through.
In many religious communities, some members have not lived up to their vows. They feel understandably despondent because of their shortcomings. If the community does not condemn them, they feel accepted despite their actions. This support encourages them to begin anew and improve.
When someone receives mercy and compassion from their brothers and sisters, their path to conversion opens. This also enables their renewal. We are then reminded of what somebody said: “There is no saint without a past. There is no sinner without a future.”
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