sand

B for Building

In life, we build many things.
We assemble frames.
We erect houses and buildings.
We manufacture structures of all kinds.
We make plans also.
We elaborate some arguments.

Yes, in life we build many things, but…
We also need to build our lives, our future…

It is here that the words of Jesus reach us and challenge us:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27).

A solid and promising future, or…
A spectacular crash…
The choice remains ours.

Source: Image: Scripture Images

Our days are filled with messages sent and received on many platforms –
computers, cell phones, tablets – these tools are available at our fingertips, literally.
The more traditional media – books, magazines, periodicals – are still in use to contact people.

But have you ever received a message written on… sand?
This is surely not the usual mode of communication nowadays!
Amazingly, we see this in today’s gospel (John 8:1-11) – we see Jesus writing in the sand.

What did he write? What was the message he wanted to make known?
No one can say…
Did the Pharisees read it? Did they realize that the words were meant for them?
Impossible to assert…
Did the woman make out the characters traced by Jesus’ finger?
Did this give her courage, hope to be spared the stoning prescribed by the Jewish Law?
This, too, is unknown.

It is after the question voiced by the religious leaders, that Jesus bent down to write in the sand.
Their question was:

“Now what do you say?”

Obviously, the leaders were more concerned with condemning Jesus than condemning the woman!
The gospel writer adds immediately:

^“They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.”

The answer of Jesus is framed in silence and… in the sand – there is no need for more.
This answer has all the power that compassion can offer.
The leaders leave, and the woman is forgiven.

And… the same can happen today…

Note: A video presents this gospel scene where Jeannie Calavrias personifies the Woman caught in adultery; it can be found at: https://youtu.be/lH5ZJSjSItI

And another reflection, on a different theme, is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/5e-dimanche-du-careme-annee-c-2022/

Recherche

image-i-nations trésor

The Alphabet of Life – Letter B

Source: Image: Scripture Images

5th Sunday of Lent, Year C – 2022

Source: Image: shop.catholic.com