Episode Transcript
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The story of the woman caught in adultery is,
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from one point of view,
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a very nasty story indeed.
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For a start,
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it's the woman alone who's humiliated
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and made to stand in the middle of the crowd.
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The Law of Moses said both the man and the woman
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should cop the same punishment,
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but the bloke is nowhere to be seen.
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Secondly,
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the religious leaders care nothing for the woman
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she is treated as an object.
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Exhibit A.
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Their only aim
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was to use her
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to push Jesus into a no-win situation,
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to trap him into setting the law aside
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or finding a way around it.
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From another point of view, however,
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this is a most inspiring and tender story
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of mercy and forgiveness.
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Jesus refuses to buy into the trap as it has been set out.
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He doesn’t stare at the woman;
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he bends down and he doodles in the dust.
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And when he is pushed, he says,
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let the one without sin cast the first stone!
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And one by one, they slink away.
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Jesus is left alone with the woman.
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He looks up to her,
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has no one condemned you?
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No, no one!
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Neither do I condemn you, says Jesus gently,
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go away and sin no more.
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Jesus treats her with respect.
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He is understanding and merciful.
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He invites her to turn over a new leaf.
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He calls her to conversion of heart.
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She is given a second chance.
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In Lent,
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we examine our conscience.
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We recognise our guilt, we confess our sin.
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And then we are blown over by mercy!
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We encounter the Lord who loves us
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even while we are doing wrong,
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who is waiting to forgive and to heal,
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to set a new heart in us.
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That is the overwhelming message of Lent.
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Not that we toughen up by our own works of penance.
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But that we are embraced unconditionally
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in the arms of God’s mercy.
