The Man Caught In Adultery!
Jesus was teaching in the temple in the midst of his disciples, when some Pharisees and the Scribes brought to him a man who was caught in the very act of adultery.
“Master, this man was caught in the very act of adultery. Moses has commanded that sinners such as these should be stoned to death. What do you say?” demanded Elia, the Pharisee.
Jesus was a bit surprised at this. It was the woman who should be caught in the act of adultery. It was customary to let the man escape and condemn only the woman. Here it was the other way around. Jesus was intrigued. He decided to get to the bottom of it, even if he was happy about this turn of events. He bent down and started scribbling on the ground with his finger.
Elia was impatient. “Master, we want an answer,” he demanded.
“Who caught him?”
“I myself did it. I caught him red handed.”
“Why did you go there, in the first place?” Jesus asked with a smile.
Elia did not expect this turn. He hesitated. “I just happened to pass that way.”
He was not convincing. The others in the crowd were getting curious too.
“Where is the woman?”
“She escaped.”
“Ah, that is interesting. Did she escape, or you allowed her to escape?”
“No, no. That is not true.” Elia was vehement.
Jesus brushed aside his denial. He smiled mysteriously.
“You are quite fond of her, aren’t you, Elia?” he asked.
Elia was nervous.
“You were jealous that this man was found in her house. And so you arrange for the woman to escape, catch the man, arrange for two witnesses and come over here.”
By now the other men who had come with Elia were giggling because they all knew the truth.
“You not only caught that man, but you saw a chance to catch me too on an argument. You are clever indeed Elia.”
Elia was stunned that Jesus was reading his mind.
Jesus turned to the crowd and said: “And you also know the truth. How is that you have come here merrily to throw stones.?”
No one dared to answer.
“Well, here are three parties – the accused man, Elia the accuser, and you, the crowd with stones. All of you are adulterers. Decide by yourselves as to which one deserves to be stoned to death according to the Law of Moses.”
And he bent down and began to scribble again on the ground!
(by Fr Maria A sdb)
Fr. Franco Pereira, S.D.B.