This is a reflection I wrote after praying the scripture John 8:1-11. If you are not familiar with the story about the woman saved from stoning, I would suggest reading first. You can find here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A1-11&version=NRSV. You will notice some differences between the scripture and the reflection. Praying scripture is an invitation to be inspired by the scripture and see where it takes you. If you would like to know more about praying scripture you can email me at lleffler@live.ca .
I look through the crowd at each face searching for someone to save me – to help me.
I cannot escape this mob on my own.
Some of the faces are angry.
What fills them with so much rage?
Others look like they just got swept up in the crowd.
I face each one of them in turn, silently pleading for help,
but each of them turn away.
Some of them at least have the decency to look ashamed of their inaction.
This is it.
No one is coming…
And then suddenly there is movement at the back of the crowd.
They are parting to let someone through.
Is it my lover coming to speak in my defense?
No, he will not come for me now…
…what good would it do?
The man reaches the front of the crowd.
I don’t recognize him but somehow, I feel like I know him.
He has a divine aura surrounding him.
This must be the Messiah everyone is talking about.
This must be Jesus.
Surely, he will save me from this mob.
Surely, he will speak out on behalf of love.
But he just stands there
and slowly bends to pick up a long stick at our feet.
He moves, slowly, deliberately,
drawing something on the ground.
I don’t see, how this will save me.
I don’t understand why he is not saying anything to the crowd.
He just keeps drawing.
But then I look up at the crowd once more
and I notice a change settling over them.
Before they were loud, angry, irrational,
but now they are stilling,
and a quiet curiosity settles over the crowd.
Whatever this man says now they will be able to listen.
Surely, he will speak out in my defense.
Surely, he will explain it is not a crime to love someone
when there is consent from everyone directly impacted.
He draws one last line,
I feel a circle of protection around me.
I know the crowd will not be able to harm me today.
And then finally he speaks,
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
The crowd is silent.
Nobody moves
and then slowly one by one they walk away.
I am relieved but also a little disappointed…
This man could have spoke out in my defense.
He could have shown them their judgement was unfounded.
He could have spoken on behalf of women,
and made a significant change.
Why didn’t he say more?
Perhaps, the time wasn’t right?
Perhaps, they weren’t ready to listen?
But as I sit here,
still bound in place by the relief of my salvation,
I can’t help but wonder…
…will they ever be ready?
All I know is I am ready…
As I take my first shaky step out of my circle of protection,
I know one thing with absolute certainty…
I WILL NO LONGER KEEP SILENT!