From today’s gospel: “Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. 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.’

“Then a group of seniors brought one of their classmates to a teacher and made him stand in front of the teacher’s desk. They said to the teacher, ‘Miss, we caught our classmate copying from one of us and putting some of what he copied in his essay. In the handbook, it says that he has to get a zero on his essay. What are you going to do to him?’ They said this to test the teacher, to have a complaint to take to the administrators. But the teacher simply looked at the assignment she was writing. When the students continued to ask her . . . ."

How does this story end if you are the teacher?

“The treatment the pupil received from the teacher was permeated with respect and love … As a result of such treatment, the artisans and the poor could be led to believe in a God of love and hope." (Bruno Alpago, FSC, The Institute in the Educational Service of the Poor)

“Jesus’ attitude is striking: we do not hear words of scorn, we do not hear words of condemnation, but only words of love, of mercy, which are an invitation to conversion. ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.’ Ah! Brothers and sisters, God’s face is the face of a merciful father who is always patient. Have you thought about God’s patience, the patience he has with each one of us? That is his mercy. He always has patience, patience with us, he understands us, he waits for us, he does not tire of forgiving us if we are able to return to him with a contrite heart." (Pope Francis, Angelus address, March 17, 2013)

Live, Jesus, in our hearts!