Thoughts for the Night

I watch "Dead Man Walking" about a nun who visits a murderer/rapist on death row. I watch the anger and fury the parents have about this man. They want him to die. They will have revenge. They will have justice.

A woman is thrown before Jesus. Following her, a crowd of men carrying large stones cry out to Jesus. They demand justice, according to the Law; she must die, for she has committed adultery. She will have large stones lobbed at her until the pain sends her into shock, until her arms break and her bones are fractured and the breath escapes from her lungs and the very appearance of her is mangled and destroyed. She will die.

And they may judge her because they judge with the Law. Right? And Jesus, the creator of all things, the fulfillment of the Law says to them, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." And they cannot. For they/we are all sinners and unable to condemn anyone; as if doing so, we condemn ourselves.

He calls us all to forgiveness. All. Even the adulterous woman. Even the murderer/rapist. For He does not desire anyone to go to Hell. He suffered and died and rose again so that all may go to Heaven. ALL. Everyone.

I wish to see us all there.