Lots of new to look at today as we enter our renovated Church. Last night we rededicated our new sanctuary. I hope you get a chance to look closely at the 10 new stained glass windows; windows that tell a story about the life of St. Jane as well as several religious figures that have had a profound impact in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. And this weekend we place into service our new altar, new ambo and new tabernacle. The same Church but many things new.
We all can relate to this renovation. We have renovated our homes before; perhaps added a new room, reworked the current floorplan or perhaps changed the landscape of our yards.
As people of faith, do we allow Jesus to make all things new in our lives?
On this 5th Sunday of Lent we hear the Gospel of the woman caught in adultery. The authorities who bring the woman before Jesus are anxious to carry out the letter of the law but they are also more interested in trapping Jesus with the question of what to do with the woman. The question was intended as a lose-lose for Jesus. But Jesus did something totally unexpected; with his own finger, he wrote in the Earth.
What did he write? We have heard much speculation; but to be honest, we don't really know. But we clearly hear the words Jesus has to say. As the crowd picked up the stones with which to execute the death penalty against this woman Jesus says: "Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone." And Jesus a second time writes with his finger in the Earth. And we know that one by one, stones were dropped and the people went away.
Jesus makes all things new. If you ever saw the movie, the Passion of the Christ, there is a poignant scene where Jesus, carrying his cross, falls violently, battered and bloodied, and looks into the eyes of His mother Mary and says, see, I make all things new. Scripturally, this did not happen although "I make all things new" is quoted in the Book of Revelation.
Even in today's first reading from Isaiah today we hear remember not the events of the past; the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new!
What is Jesus doing new? In this case, he teaches that the old covenant law, written by the hand of God on tablets of stone, is now fulfilled by His message of mercy and forgiveness. Perhaps this is the message he wrote with the finger of God into the Earth. Stone tablets that delivered the old covenant are not meant for weapons of stone to execute this woman. No, Jesus makes all things new.
And in doing so, Jesus is teaching us that the new covenant is written not on stone but written in our hearts. Jesus is calling us to mercy and forgiveness and opening our hearts to love one another. He asks each of us to soften our hearts to His message. It is almost like Ezekiel says in his prophesy, I will replace your stony hearts with a heart of flesh. And in Psalm 51 we read create a clean heart in me.
Jesus asks us to spend little time condemning others. And Jesus does give the final instruction to the woman who now stands not condemend but forgiven; go and sin no more.
For us gathered here today, we are called in this fifth week of Lent to give action to this Scripture reading. Again, we can start with reconciliation. We are drawing closer and closer to Holy Week and Easter. It is not too late to make a good confession. In the week ahead, we can take advantage of Eucharistic Adoration tomorrow night with our CCD students and Stations of the Cross this Friday. And very importantly, we can examine our hearts and say yes, the law of Jesus is written upon this heart, softened by Jesus' message of love, mercy and forgiveness and fortified by our love for Him and our brother and sister. Drop your stones this week too. Perhaps you are carrying a stone meant for another not yet forgiven. Learn a lesson from this Gospel passage; drop your stone and forgive. And do so this week.
Our Church looks new today; we are beginning spring and a time of new beginnings. Jesus Christ makes all things new. May we open our hearts to the totality of His message and as best we can, go and sin no more.
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