First Reading - Isaiah 43:16-21
Second Reading - Philippians 3:8-14
Gospel - John 8:1-11
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah proclaims God's saving power by reminding the people of the Exodus event, when God made a path through the sea and rescued His people from slavery. Yet, God tells them not to dwell on the past: “See, I am doing a new thing!” This new thing is not just another miracle of the past repeated—it is something greater, something fresh and unexpected. God promises renewal and restoration even in the desert places of life. This is a call to trust in God’s ability to bring life where there was none and to lead us forward with hope.
The second reading from St. Paul to the Philippians shows us a powerful personal testimony. Paul considers all his former privileges and achievements as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. His focus is not on what he was, but on what he is becoming in Christ. “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,” Paul presses on toward the goal—the fullness of life in Christ. His words are a powerful invitation for us, too, to leave behind whatever hinders us and fix our eyes on Christ who calls us heavenward.
The Gospel passage presents one of the most moving scenes of divine mercy. A woman caught in adultery is brought before Jesus, not for justice, but to trap Him. Yet Jesus does not fall into their trap; instead, He offers both truth and grace. “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” One by one, the accusers walk away, convicted by their own consciences. Jesus, left alone with the woman, does not condemn her. Rather, He forgives her and invites her to a new life: “Go, and sin no more.” This is not just a release from punishment but a call to transformation.
Dear friends, these readings remind us that God is not interested in condemning us for our past but in offering us a new future. He sees beyond our failures and offers healing, hope, and a fresh beginning. Like the woman in the Gospel, we are not defined by our sin but by the mercy of the One who forgives us. Like Paul, we are called to press on, leaving behind what holds us back. And like the people in Isaiah’s time, we are invited to trust that God can make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the wasteland of our lives.
Let us pray today for the grace to let go of the past—of our sins, regrets, and disappointments—and open ourselves to the new life God is offering us. May we walk forward with hope, courage, and trust in the One who makes all things new.
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