Casting Stones

As you may have heard all throughout the year, I have used songs, TV shows, movies, and a whole lot of pop culture items to promote positive message this year. I’ve not used the Bible more than once and I’ve done that on purpose, trying to be sensitive about promoting one single religion or denomination in our organization.But a funny thing happened this summer. I found myself with more time on my hands than I’m used to. Aside from filling that time with stories about Sesame Street and trips to the library, I have been trying to read my Bible more and have even watched the “Catholic Channel” on the Dish Network. Doing so has reminded me that, for me, God works in mysterious ways and has the most fortuitous timing. Recently, one of the readings for a daily mass included a reading from the Gospel of St. John which I believe will be very helpful in setting the tone for today’s meetings. I’d like to share it with you now:

A reading from the Gospel according to St. John:

But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Now, on the way here I found this stone. And I have to tell you, I want to throw this.

Can’t throw it.

I’m dying to throw this.

Can’t throw it.

Can’t wait to throw this.

I won’t throw it.

Aside from the Gospel reading, I try to remember that the 84 people who came before President Fay and the 184 people who will come after her and the thousands upon thousands of people who call themselves Jaycees wouldn’t be able to throw this stone either. No one of us is perfect and no one of us will ever be able to pick up and throw it properly.

It The Sky’s Indeed the Limit, then so should our desire to forgive, to understand, and to move on. ’nuff said.