Rooke Chapel, 10.5.2020
The 31st Sunday in COVID Time, and the 8th of the Fall Semester
John 8: 2-11
If we were to go up on the sidewalk,
and ask passers-by,
what quotes they know from Jesus,
it’s fair to think today’s would register.
“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Or something like it
If we were on family feud:
“One hundred people surveyed,
“Things Jesus said.”
We might not hit the buzzer and say it first,
it would be on the board, don’t you think?
I am the way the truth the light
Love one another as I have loved you.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Let anyone among you.
A reasonable guess, at least.
This is one of the stories we know, I think,
about Jesus.
One of the stories we love, perhaps.
And rightly so.
It’s great.
Jesus is subversive,
disruptive,
and, I think, lovable.
I imagine him standing in the middle,
of this whirlwind,
of anger and violence,
this plot and ploy to undermine his credibility
This mingling mob of power and gender and judgment and law,
and division.
And he says,
look at this woman,
and look at yourselves,