Jesus is loving, forgiving, kind and merciful. This we know; yes, we have been told since childhood what a benevolent God we serve. And it's true! This week's Gospel reading is perhaps one of the most Iconic examples of Jesus's Mercy. "Neither do I condemn you" He says to the woman after her accusers walk away. They walk away because they know that they are not without sin; and so no-one can cast the first stone. No one except Jesus, though - and He came to us as the King of Mercy - so He told her to "go, and sin no more."
That last part is very important though, and I wonder if I give that part as much attention as I give the "neither do I condemn you" part. It's easy to focus on Jesus's Mercy when I fall short, and yes, we should Hope in His Mercy. The problem is, I find myself all too willing to condemn others when they are clearly at fault. And if that is my tendency, what will Jesus say when He comes as Just Judge?
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