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Goodness and Mercy shall follow us
March 27, 2023
Susanna [1–9,15–29,34–40],41-62 | Psalm 23 | John 8:1–11 or John 8:12–20
Today’s readings contain one of the most well known passages in Scripture, at least to my ears: Psalm 23. While I find its promises of green pastures, still waters, comfort, and a cup running over reassuring, I find the phrase “surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” particularly resonating with me today in conjunction with John’s Gospel.
John tells the story of a woman standing before a crowd who expect to stone her for her crime of adultery and who ask Jesus to confirm or deny the law of Moses about such a punishment. I’m struck first by Jesus’ calm reflection in the face of their pressure – he quietly writes with his finger on the ground. Eventually, he pronounces his judgment: “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And of course, everyone walks away.
Who among us is without sin? I dare say none of us. I think if we are truly to live a life following Christ’s example, then we should remember that God’s “goodness and mercy shall follow” us, so we should offer mercy to others. In so doing, we can hope to “dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
Diane Rich
