Today's readings are about forgiveness:

First reading:  Is 43:16-21

Thus says the Lord, who gave you a way through the sea and a path through the torrent of waters, who led out the chariot and the horse, the column of robust troops. They went to sleep together, and they will not arise. They have been crushed like flax, and they have been extinguished. You need not call to mind the past, nor consider the things of antiquity. Behold, I am accomplishing new things. And presently, they will spring forth. With certainty, you will know them. I will make a way in the desert, and rivers in an impassible place. The wild beasts of the field will glorify me, with the serpents and the ostriches. For I have brought waters to the desert, rivers to inaccessible places, in order to give drink to my people, to my elect. This is the people whom I have formed for myself. They will speak my praise. 

In the first reading, God tells us through Isaiah to forget the past for he is creating something brand new. The law of Moses was not enough to reconcile us to God. Sure he saved his people from the Egyptians, but the gates of heaven were still closed. However, God says all of that is about to change for the elect. Who are the elect? Keep reading!

Second reading: Ps 126:1-6

When the Lord turned back the captivity of Zion, we became like those who are consoled. Then our mouth was filled with gladness and our tongue with exultation. Then they will say among the nations: “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us. We have become joyful. Convert our captivity, O Lord, like a torrent in the south. Those who sow in tears shall reap in exultation. When departing, they went forth and wept, sowing their seeds. But when returning, they will arrive with exultation, carrying their sheaves. Ps 126:1-6

In the second reading, the psalmist reminds us again of how elated the Israelites were when they were freed from captivity. Yet right now he is doing great things for us! Sowers of seed are about to reap a great harvest. But who are these reapers? Keep reading!

Third reading: Ph 3:8-14

Yet truly, I consider everything to be a loss, because of the preeminent knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of everything, considering it all to be like dung, so that I may gain Christ, and so that you may be found in him, not having my justice, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ Jesus, the justice within faith, which is of God. So shall I know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his Passion, having been fashioned according to his death, if, by some means, I might attain to the resurrection which is from the dead. It is not as though I have already received this, or were already perfect. But rather I pursue, so that by some means I might attain, that in which I have already been attained by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider that I have already attained this. Instead, I do one thing: forgetting those things that are behind, and extending myself toward those things that are ahead, I pursue the destination, the prize of the heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus.

In the third reading, St. Paul also advises us to forget the imperfect laws of the past. They could not save God's people. Our true salvation comes from our faith in Jesus who died and rose from the dead.

Fourth reading: John 8:1-11

But Jesus continued on to the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning, he went again to the temple; and all the people came to him. And sitting down, he taught them. Now the scribes and Pharisees brought forward a woman caught in adultery, and they stood her in front of them. And they said to him: “Teacher, this woman was just now caught in adultery. And in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such a one. Therefore, what do you say?” But they were saying this to test him, so that they might be able to accuse him. Then Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the earth. And then, when they persevered in questioning him, he stood upright and said to them, “Let whoever is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.” And bending down again, he wrote on the earth. But upon hearing this, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, with the woman standing in front of him. Then Jesus, raising himself up, said to her: “Woman, where are those who accused you? Has no one condemned you?” And she said, “No one, Lord.” Then Jesus said: “Neither will I condemn you. Go, and now do not choose to sin anymore.”

In John's gospel, we see that the Jewish elders are trying to trick Jesus into committing an offense against the law of Moses. But Jesus knows what they are up to and he starts to write their sins in the sand. He knew that they were just as guilty of sin as she was. So who was left to accuse the woman? Jesus. And was Jesus going to condemn her? He had every right since he was God and completely sinless. Yet he forgave her without hesitation. And although he told her to not sin any more, he knows how weak we are and that no one alive is capable of living a life without sin. 

So did Jesus expect her to sin again? Yes. And would he forgive her again. Yes, if she repented again. We have to keep repenting, again and again. How many times will Jesus forgive us for committing the same sins? 7 times 70 times? No, he will forgive us an unlimited number of times as long as we try to do what is right and beg forgiveness when we fail. That's what sin means: "to miss the mark." In other words, we have to at least aim at the target (live a righteous life). 

So what's the good news? We have been saved by the death and resurrection of Christ. Who are the elect? Those who place their faith in Christ. Who are the happy reapers? Those who have been released from the captivity of sin and realize that heaven is their reward if they repent and keep trying to do God's will. And who is in hell? Only those who refuse to repent! So let us keep fighting the good fight, trusting that Jesus will always forgive repentant sinners. For they shall see God!

Now go and serve our King!

John