they said this to test him

“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.” (JN 8: 3-6)

It wasn’t about “such women who had been caught in adultery”; it wasn’t about eliminating sins from society; it was “to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him.” It is so sad that this woman was used twice—by an unknown man “in adultery” and by “the scribes and the Pharisees.” Unfortunately, we are living in times when utilitarianism is widely recognized and promoted. We can use others as a means to an end, and when they accept being used, they can consume themselves because there is no harm. World without sins, world without dignity, world without God. When we respect women, when we bring them back their dignity, and when we recognize in them God’s presence as God’s children, we build a new world.

“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.” (Gospel Acclamation)