The common theme linking the two readings is the sin of adultery. In the one case the woman is proved totally innocent of the charge and her accusers are punished. In the other, there is no question of the woman's guilt but she finds forgiveness. In our day, we might like to ask: what happened to the man? It takes two to commit adultery. But it was an unequal world for women and, in many respects, it still is. What is really distasteful in the scene is that the woman is dragged in by religious leaders as a pawn in their conflict with Jesus.

If Jesus says she should be forgiven, He is in violation of the Law; if He says she should be punished, He contradicts His own teaching about mercy for the sinner. So Jesus says, "If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." They are reduced to silence and one by one they go out. "Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir." "Neither do I condemn you; go away, and do not sin any more." This is the God we serve. But it is also the God we are called to imitate.