Jn 8:1-11 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."
About the middle of last week I received, in my e-mail, a petition to send to my Bishop, the USCCB, and the Vatican pretty much demanding that something be done to those who are in a position of secular authority who use their position to further anti-life positions that are against the teachings of the Catholic Church and still present themselves for the Eucharist. We all know who we're talking about....the Nancy Pelosis, the Joe Bidens, the John Kerrys and any Kennedy. I have been struggling with this. While I feel very strongly that they should not be presenting themselves for Communion, making demands of the Shepherds is not the way to go. I have no doubt that our Shepherds are already in control of the situation. How many of us have planks in our own eyes? How do we know that these politicians have not already been informed of proper teaching by their Bishops and are simply choosing to ignore the pastoral recommendations at the peril of their own souls? I think I need to spend more time working out my own salvation before I start demanding others to do the same.
I was talking to Mom about this a little bit yesterday, and as I said, I am pretty conflicted on what MY role should be in the whole matter. I gave it to Jesus last night during my rosary. This morning at Mass, I think I was given my answer in the Gospel. I won't be sending any petitions to recommend anyone's excommunication. I will instead be praying for the conversion of their hearts, voting and encouraging others to vote for pro-life candidates, and trusting Jesus to be a fair and merciful judge.
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