This week's reflection is taken from St. Augustine of Hippo (5th century):
Let the sinner be punished: yes, but not by sinners. Let the law be carried out, but not by lawbreakers. This, unquestionably, is the voice of justice; justice that pierced those men like a javelin. Looking into themselves, they realized their guilt, and one by one they all went out. Two remained behind: the miserable woman and mercy. The Lord raised his eyes, and with a gentle look, he asked the woman, "Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." And he said, "Neither will I condemn you."
What is this Lord? Are you giving approval to immorality? Not at all. Take note of what follows: "Go and sin no more." You see then that the Lord does indeed pass sentence, but it is sin that he condemns, not people.
(This story originally published in The Providence Visitor)
