Do you struggle to feel forgiven?

Gospel Reflection for March 18, 2024

“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 any more.’” (John 8:1-11 NABRE)

What is a sin you’ve committed that has caused you to experience unrelenting guilt and embarrassment? Maybe it’s even a sin you’ve confessed, and yet you still think about it and feel remorse. Perhaps you even feel unforgiven for this sin.

Imagine you are in the same situation as the woman in today’s Gospel. You’ve been caught in your sins and you are being judged and condemned by others for it. Yet, Jesus is there. He asks for a person without sin to throw the first stone. You know that He is protecting you, and though you feel scared, embarrassed, undeserving, and guilty, you feel safe in His presence, because you know that Jesus loves you.

After the judgmental crowd walks away, you are alone with Jesus. He knows exactly what your sins are, and looking into your eyes, Jesus tells you that He does not condemn you, and to go and sin no more.

Guilt, shame, and embarrassment tell us when the actions we’ve committed were wrong, which is an important and necessary lesson to learn through these emotions! However, once we’ve recognized our mistakes and have gone to the Lord in a spirit of true repentance by asking Him for forgiveness and mercy, we must trust in the Lord’s forgiveness.

As with the woman in today’s Gospel, Jesus says to each one of us, “Neither do I condemn you.”

We must never let guilt for our sins cause a divide between us and God. Your sins are not greater than His grace! “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.” (Romans 5:20)

Jesus suffered torture and died knowing each and every single sin we would all commit. He took our sins upon Himself so that we wouldn’t have to bear the punishment for them. So, trust in His love and mercy! Always truly repent for your sins, and have peace knowing that your loving God forgives you endlessly.