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WHAT’S THE POINT?

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, we often focus on the younger son and how he squanders his inheritance, but we must not overlook the important message that Jesus is giving here. The loving Father extends his mercy to his wayward son and receives him with great rejoicing upon his return. We can be encouraged that if we turn our hearts to God, he meets us joyfully and with abundant mercy. The father does not reproach his son, rather he gives him gifts and throws a party. No matter what we have done, we can turn to our Father in heaven and receive his abundant mercy.

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The gospel reading for today shows the great compassion of Christ toward a woman caught in sin, while at the same time it demonstrates how seriously Jesus opposes the sin of self-righteousness. Jesus sees through the Pharisees’ ploy to trap Him into saying the sinful woman should be stoned as the Law of Moses prescribes and thus break a Roman law. However, Jesus cleverly turns the trick on them and exposes their sin instead and displays the mercy of God to the sinful woman. The wonderful words of comfort and forgiveness which he says to the woman, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more,” are also spoken to us.