Dear Friend,  

Monday, February 26, 2024

Reflection by Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D.

The Woman Caught in Adultery

Imagine the terror the woman caught in adultery experienced as the crowds descended upon her. She is bracing herself for the rocks that may be hurled upon her. She wishes she could shut out the angry voices of the mob closing in on her. She has been told to stand in the middle of the scribes and Pharisees. She doesn’t raise her face. But as she looks down, she sees a man writing on the ground and hears his voice. She’s stunned; the voice sounds gentle yet authoritative. There’s sudden silence. What did he just say? “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Could it be that the crowd is dissipating? She looks up and sees Jesus. There’s compassion in his face, as he asks, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  She looks around and realizes with utter relief that no one had stayed; no one was going to stone her. She gazes again into Jesus’ face, and replies: “No one, sir.” Jesus responds, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin anymore.”

Terror, shame, and confusion. Then, disbelief, shock, and relief. So many emotions. I imagine that when Jesus said to “go,” the woman hesitated. I imagine that she wanted to stay in the company of the one who had not condemned her, the one who spoke in such a way to dissuade the scribes and Pharisees from stoning her. I imagine she would have wanted to continue to receive the gaze of love.

I wonder if this Lent we might be called to receive the gaze of Jesus and “go,” that is, leave our former selves and start anew. Might there be a part of our life that Jesus wants to heal and transform so that we can “go” with a sense of freedom to the next chapter of our lives?

Dear Lord, please meet me in the middle of the storms of my life. Here I stand; please protect me and let me see your face. Let me hear your voice of compassion. Please turn my fear into confidence. If I hear your directions that it’s time to go, would you take me by the hand and illuminate my path? Thank you for your love. Amen.

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Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, earned a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, an M.A. in Catholic Theology and Pastoral Ministry from The Institute of Advanced Studies of Catholic Doctrine, St. John's University, and an S.T.L. and an S.T.D. from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum), Rome. Dr. Traflet is a key leader in the Center for Diaconal Formation, and she gives numerous lectures, retreats, and days of recollection, including some specific to wives of deacons and deacon candidates. She is the author of Edith Stein: A Spiritual Portrait (Pauline Media, 2008).