There’s a moment in this week’s Gospel that feels uncomfortably familiar.

A group of religious leaders drag a woman out in front of a crowd–they say she was caught in the act of adultery, and according to the law, she should be stoned.

But instead of acting, they turn to Jesus and ask, “So what do you say?”

It’s not about justice. And really, it’s not about her.

They’re trying to trap Him—either into contradicting the law, or contradicting His message of mercy.

Jesus doesn’t answer right away. He kneels down, draws in the dirt, and lets the silence do some of the work.

Then He stands and says one line: “Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Well.

We’re not so different.

Most of us aren’t walking around with literal stones in our hands.

But look at our words. Our posts. Our conversations.

How quick we are to call people out, shut people down, or decide who’s worth writing off. These days, throwing stones looks a lot like scrolling with judgment—or snapping back with a comment that sounds righteous, but lands like a bruise.

At the end of the Gospel, the woman is still there. The accusers are gone. Jesus asks, “Has no one condemned you?” And when she says no, He responds with mercy—but also with a call: “Go, and do not sin again.”

He doesn’t ignore what happened. He just leads with grace.

So here’s this week’s invitation: between now and Easter, fast from condemnation. Not just the dramatic kind, but the quiet eye-rolls, the sarcastic comments, the moments of superiority we all slip into.

When you feel the urge to cast judgment, pause instead.

Drop the stone.

And see what happens when you stop carrying all that weight.

God bless,
-FF