No Condemnation

No Condemnation is our worship theme for the fifth Sunday in Lent, March 17, 2013. Our focus scriptures are Psalm 126 and John 8:1-11.

This year in Lent we are exploring the lectionary passages with an eye out to discover foundations of peace. In these passages the Psalmist celebrates the power of God’s revolutionary love and Jesus refuses to condemn a woman who is dragged before him after being caught in the act of adultery.

Speaking of the Babylonian captivity the prophet Isaiah writes: “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (40:1-2 NRSV). I think the sense of what Isaiah means is both that God has forgiven Israel for all the sins of the people in worshiping false gods, and also that Israel has endured a time of suffering for the sake of the very nations who led the people astray. This concept of redemptive suffering sets an example for Jesus in his understanding of what God calls him to do. The Psalmist celebrates the joy of the people at their release from bondage – a release they had no part in forcing but that came to them as a gift from God. In the background is their joy in God’s forgiveness and in the sense that their suffering is not in vain.

In the famous – if not entirely certain – passage from John, Jesus creates peace by refusing to condemn. The situation itself is one-sided. Powerful men drag a woman caught in adultery before Jesus, recite the Law of Moses that says she should be stoned, and ask what he says. Where, we wonder, is her partner? Why did these men neglect to bring the man who was caught as well? And what will Jesus do? He has taught that we are to pray for our enemies rather than follow the law of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Now the religious authorities hope to trap Jesus into condemning himself by refusing to condemn the woman.

In his response, Jesus puts the issue back into the hands of those who are laying the trap. His response is, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Faced with this proposition, the men quietly slink away. “Has no one condemned you?” Jesus finally asks the woman. “No one, sir,” she replies. “Neither do I condemn you,” Jesus says. “Go your way and sin no more.” Jesus creates peace by refusing to condemn.

How often do we bring those who anger us before us in our mind’s eye for condemnation? Can we listen to Jesus’ words as we are about to mentally stone them? Can we discover a peace that grows from our awareness that we are all human, and that the chances are good that we are angry at others because inwardly we are angry at ourselves for doing the exact same things?

Here is a Call to Worship and a Litany based on Psalm 126. Please use or adapt anything that is helpful to you.

**Call to Worship (from Psalm 126)

L: Sisters and brothers, we serve a gracious God,

     whose glory is revolutionary love!

P: When God called the people out of slavery in Egypt,

     then we were like those whose dreams come true.

L: When God brought Israel home to a land flowing with milk and honey,

     then our mouths were filled with laughter.

P: When God forgave the people of Zion, restored their fortunes

     and freed them from captivity in Babylon,

     then our tongues shouted for joy.

L: When God raised Jesus and shattered the powers of sin and death,             

     then we danced the dance of life.

P: And now, when the blind see, the lame walk, the sick are healed,

     the deaf hear, the lonely are welcomed, and the poor are fed,

     then we celebrate God’s amazing love.

L: Sisters and brothers, we serve a gracious God,
     whose glory is revolutionary love!

All: Let us worship God! Amen.

Responsive Litany    From Psalm 126

          L: When God brought our people back from captivity in Babylon,                 

               we were like those who dream.

          P: Then we shook with laughter, then we shouted for joy!

          L: When God came to us in a poor baby born in a stable...

          P: When God spoke to us from a mountain top...

          L: When God shattered the power of the tomb...

          P: When God poured out Spirit from the heavens...

          L: When God built our church on a farm field...

          P: When God blessed us with children and a church school...

          L: When God called us into small groups...

          P: When God empowered us to serve the hungry...

          L: When God comforted our broken hearts...

          P: When God helped our youth build houses for the poor...

          L: When God strengthened us in a time of illness...

          P: When God joined our voice for justice with other churches...

          L: When God inspired us to create wonderful music...

          P: When God moved our 3^rd & 4^th graders to raise a mile of pennies...

          L: When God started us thinking about an elevator...

          P: When God opened the way for us to welcome all kinds of people...

          L: Then we shook with laughter, then we shouted for joy!

          P: May we always trust in your goodness, Loving God!

          L: May our tears of sorrow water seeds of joy.

       All: May our times of tribulation bear a harvest of justice and peace.