Sin
STEP
1
Discovering Jesus
(Scripture)
John 8:1-11 – A Women caught in Adultery
Then each went to his own house, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in
the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him,
and he sat down and taught them. 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 anymore.”]
STEP
2
The Rest of the Story
(Teaching/Catechist)
ⴕ The story of the woman caught in adultery is missing from all early Greek
manuscripts. A Western text-type insertion, attested mainly in Old Latin
translations, it is found in different places in different manuscripts: here, or after Jn
7:36 or at the end of this gospel, or after Lk 21:38, or at the end of that gospel.
There are many non-Johannine features in the language, and there are also many
doubtful readings within the passage. The style and motifs are similar to those of
Luke, and it fits better with the general situation at the end of Lk 21: but it was
probably inserted here because of the allusion to Jer 17:13 (cf. note on Jn 8:6) and
the statement, “I do not judge anyone,” in Jn 8:15. The Catholic Church accepts
this passage as canonical scripture.
ⴕ Mount of Olives: not mentioned elsewhere in the gospel tradition outside of passion
week.
ⴕ [8:5] Lv 20:10 and Dt 22:22 mention only death, but Dt 22:23–24 prescribes
stoning for a betrothed virgin.
ⴕ [8:6] Cf. Jer 17:13 (RSV): “Those who turn away from thee shall be written in the
earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water”; cf. Jn 7:38.
ⴕ [8:7] The first stones were to be thrown by the witnesses (Dt 17:7).
March 13, 2016
http://www.sacredheartappleton.com/Seeking.html
Sin
STEP
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STEP
Thought Sharing
3
(Small Group)
What word or phrase struck you?
Who is the Jesus you see in these scriptures?
With this insight, what action might Jesus be calling you to take?
The Pharisees were looking to get Jesus…why did his response cause them to
walk away?
4
Intercessory Prayer
(Intercessory Prayer - is the act of praying on behalf of others.)
After each intercession:
Leader: We pray.
All: Lord, help us not to sin.
ⴕ Teach forgiveness and understanding to those who do horrible things in the
name of religion.
ⴕ Teach us to be less judgmental and more understanding towards others.
ⴕ Help us to look past the deeds of the person to see who the person really is and
what their true issue is.
ⴕ Add your own intentions
STEP
5
Closing Prayer
(Prayer)
Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to
do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend,
with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
STEP
6
A Point to Ponder
(Personal Meditation)
Jesus did not condemn the woman for committing adultery, who are the people in your life
you need to stop condemning?
March 13, 2016
http://www.sacredheartappleton.com/Seeking.html