Judgments

The Scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery” (John 8:4).

            There was a time when Adultery was a big deal. It was judged a serious offence because it usually ended relationships and damaged individuals. Yet, within these judgments there existed a double standard. If the action became public knowledge, the woman’s reputation was often ruined. If it resulted in a pregnancy, she had to raise the child on her own with little help from the man, her family or friends. While the action might injure the man’s reputation, in time he could move on with his life. Today, few people see Adultery as a serious offence. The two participants are treated in roughly the same manner. Although many people judge the offence is victimless, the hidden emotional damage done to those affected by it can be significant. Clearly, judgments about actions like Adultery can sometimes be as wrong as the action itself.

            In this passage from John, the Scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in the act of Adultery to Jesus for judgment. By doing so, they provide him with an opportunity to teach an important lesson about the damage caused by sinful judgments.

            Within the Jewish Law, Adultery was any Sexual activity between a married or betrothed woman and a man other than her husband. It was a serious sin equivalent to idolatry. Since the Law treated the wife as the property of her husband, Adultery was a sin committed against him. Punishment for those guilty of the offence was death with the first stone thrown by the wronged husband. Since knowledge of the identity of the father of each child insured a legitimate heir for the family property, the Law served a key Social and Economic function. The Law also judged a betrothed woman seized by a man within a town as guilty because she raised no alarm whereas if the incident occurred in the country, it regarded her as innocent and the man as guilty. Clearly, while the Law recognized the gravity of the offence its judgment placed the woman at a distinct disadvantage.

            When confronted by the Scribes and Pharisees, Christ was likely aware of the precarious situation faced by any woman accused of Adultery. His initial silence provided an opportunity for the consideration of some questions. Where was the man who also committed the offence or the husband; the one most injured by it? Clearly, the Scribes and Pharisees had no interest in Justice. The woman was a weapon in an attack on Jesus. In his reply, Jesus showed their corrupt motives and actions forfeited any right to judgment. Their use of the Jewish Law and the woman for their own purposes were also serious sins. By their withdrawal from the scene, they conceded their position was indefensible. They too were sinners. Yet, as Jesus made clear to the woman, judgment involved Justice and Mercy. It required a recognition of the gravity of the sin and a firm purpose of amendment in return for Forgiveness. Correct judgment neither trivialized the offence nor the humanity of the sinner.

            Lent is the Season when Catholics are invited to consider their judgments about Serious Sins. The flood of stories in the Media about murder, theft and adultery frequently desensitizes people to the gravity of such offences. Social Commentators attempt to rationalize these actions. In spite of efforts to trivialize such activities, the Church teaches they are always wrong for two reasons. First, even with apparently “victimless” sins like Adultery and Fornication, individuals are hurt by them. Trust is essential for any serious relationship. When it is violated, people are harmed even if they try to hide the damage. Catholics understand they are called to love others which implies a commitment to do no harm. Second, all Serious Sins hurt the perpetrator. Individuals are made in the image and likeness of God. They are not prisoners of their instincts but have the capacity to reason right from wrong and Divine Grace to strengthen their resolve to do good. Any Serious Sin prevents a person from living up to their potential. While all Catholics sin, they know when they do so they become someone other than their true selves: an individual in a love relationship with Christ. Despite what Society might think, a Serious Sin is a serious injury to others and us.

            During Lent, we have the chance to reflect on how we understand Sin and our judgments about it. We need to see Sin as serious business. Yet, we must also perceive its Human dimension. When making judgments about it, we need to avoid the temptation to pursue our own agendas. The woman caught in Adultery committed a Serious Sin. The Pharisees saw her as a weapon to be used rather than a Human Being. Our judgments about Sin should focus on the damage caused by it to the victim, perpetrator and the Community before determining how it conflicts with the Law.

April 3, 2022