John's gospel (8:17) you can read these words:
Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to through a stone at her.
Jesus wrote these words in the sand to challenge the Pharisees' attempt to trip up Jesus when they encountered an adultress. What is the significance of what Jesus was conveying to the Pharisees?
During the last year we have experienced a dramatic increase in the exchange of demeaning responses or charges against individuals who think differently. Throughout the health care discussions have we not encountered bitterness, hatred and belittling that truly is an embarrassment to a civilized society.
As you listen to members of strong, outspoken groups, the kind tv camera men seem to like filming, the kind that new services and pundits seem to favor because there is something captivating when hatred is on display, what do you think? You are presented with more than disagreement.
Too many stones are being thrown at people who think differently. Unfortunately many of those stone throwers also proclaim their faith in their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Imagine what that same Jesus Christ would say or do were he present such hateful attacks are aimed at another of God's children. Such hatred destroys any credibility in the hearts of these stone-throwers.
It is very easy to condemn the Pharisees in today's gospel. But how can we praise or even tolerate such verbal stone-throwing in our society today? Have we not evolved into men and women who are so much stronger and more principled?
Jesus died because sinners needed redemption. So, there is one question before you today: How do those who fire these verbal stones, these belittling stones, these hurtful stones justify their actionsin light of the words Jesus wrote in the sand?
We must pray for a return to civility between those who disagree in public and on public broadcasting media. What we have seen in the last year on our tvs cannot but have some impact on our younger people. Who will be the objects of their hatred? Pray that those who have brought such damage come to see their failures. Are not these examples of hatred little more than a continuation of what Jesus saw in the law of the Jewish people to stone to death an adultress?
Who would want to be a part of such a group? Count me out!
