Let it linger
Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
John 8:1-11
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032326.cfm
It’s so easy to feel the need to stand up and fight injustice. There is a time and a place for it, but fighting fire with fire can often cause more fire. Condemnation is more likely to cause more adversity, not transformation. Transformation requires space for realization and change. Violence and admonishment can lead to more conflict, but transformation requires trust and patience. Trust that what needs to be transformed is ultimately correct, and trust that the ones requiring transformation will be open to a shift in their belief systems and posturing.
It’s the core of non-violent protest which tries to illuminate the suffering caused by societal and institutional sin. These protests put forth a hope or trust that the dominant group will wake up to their shortcomings and the impacts of their actions. It finds some form of equality within the humanity in the dominant and persecuted group. It gives the space for the dominant group to realize the humanity of the other and to treat the other with equality through the transformation of their worldview. Making this space and having patience with it is very difficult. There is no guarantee in results as it puts trust in one's enemies to wake up.
Jesus shows this patience in today’s gospel. He doesn’t admonish those who want to stone the woman found in adultery. He at first draws in the sand to let them calm down their righteous anger. He let it linger. He let it breathe. He let the boiling water ease into a simmer. He then speaks and gives it even more space when he goes back to drawing in the sand. The elders are the first to ship their behavior. Those who have been around awhile and who desire to keep the peace were the first ones to give up on their anger and condemnation of the woman. Their example then leads to the others to follow. Truth will find its place. The light will overcome the darkness not through condemnation or eye for an eye justice, but in letting it sit and be. Let the light and truth do its work. Deep down most people want to do the right thing.
The woman in the story too didn’t need the persecution of the crowd to be transformed, but the compassion and mercy she found in Jesus. She already had her own guilt and shame. One’s suffering is enough to transform, it doesn’t require the condemnation of others. We too often resolve ourselves to condemnation because we see it as justice, efficient, and driver of change. Jesus offers another way driven by truth, patience, and mercy. The divine side of others will welcome the transformation and the light will ultimately overcome the darkness. If it doesn’t, it’s on them; we have given the opportunity and created the space for it to happen.
We can create the environment for a seed to grow. We can give it fertile soil, water, and the right amount of sun, but the plant must decide if it will take those conditions and grow. That transformation requires patience for the plant, you can’t force it. Our transformation is no different. We must be willing to let go and let God work.
