Reflections about "What did Jesus Write in the Sand?" - related to John 8: 1 - 11, the woman caught in adultery. "He that is without sin cast the first stone." (John 8:7)

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Keith John Paul Horcasitas, LCSW, MHA

What did Jesus Write in the Sand?

This is something I've often wondered about, in reference to the Gospel noted in John 8: 1 -11. This is about the woman caught in adultery (Also about the missing man who was also caught in this adultery but who didn't show up for God's Divine Mercy!). What is at the heart of the matter here?

Many of us are certainly familiar with this passage and the famous quote that we may even use at times when we are caught up in a similar situation: "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her (me)." (John 8: 7) This response by Jesus is the epitome of what He embodies in His unconditional Love for us and is one of the best models for answering WWJD?

It can be helpful to put ourselves directly into this scene, to use a St. Ignatius Spiritual Exercise technique, to better understand it and how it can be a great tool for us in applying forgiveness - to others and ourselves.

Where do we fit into this account? I can clearly see myself, at times, as one of the scribes or Pharisee accusers. All too often, I may project my own hidden sinfulness onto others, even if they were truly caught in the act of some crime or violation.

In this scene, maybe I am trying to protect the identity of the man, possibly a friend, boss or business client, who was the other guilty party in the adultery. So I want to be sure to enforce the letter of the law - death by stoning - to cover it up. If I wasn't the other party or didn't commit some other form of commission in this act, maybe I'm covering some sin of omission - since I may have arranged or was aware of the tryst but didn't do anything to prevent it?

If I was the woman in the scene, might I actually have tried to speak out against/blame the other party involved or made up some type of excuse or fabrication as to what happened instead of simply remaining humble, penitent and quiet like she did? Isn't is ironic to think how Jesus behaved similarly when he was confronted later on with His Passion before all the accusing authorities and people, and yet He mainly behaved the same then?

What can we learn from observing Jesus if we were actually in this scene with the woman and the accusers? When faced with this serious decision-making situation, note that He did not act rashly. Rather, He calmly "bent down" and took time to reflect/pray to the Father "and began to write on the ground with His finger." Once again - what did He write or draw?

Next, Jesus assertively acknowledged the "punishment that fit the crime" (stoning by death for adultery), but He gently yet powerfully tossed the stone back to the accusers with that compassionate proviso: "He without sin...." Then, He bent down again to the ground to write.

After all the accusers had in humiliation left the scene, He "rose up again and was left only with the woman."

Isn't it ironic: this almost sounds like what happened after His Crucifixion and Resurrection! And reportedly, the first person noted that He appeared to was this same woman: Mary Madeline!

Note: He did not condone the sin but forgave her/us - "From now on, do not sin any more."

Jesus may well ask of us the following: "Who was writing on the ground for me when I was (am) crucified (daily through many means)? What/Where are our handwritings in defense of Him/our faith or one another? Is the (our) handwriting really on the wall? What type is it - sacred or profane?

Though we don't have any of His actual recorded writings from this scene or elsewhere, He certainly desires to write His laws and Love upon our hearts, as noted in Jeremiah 31:33.

So finally, what do I believe He wrote in the sand?

I believe that He drew a two-fold heart. The first time He "bent down" (Incarnation), He drew His Most Precious, Compassionate, Saving Sacred Heart on the ground.

The second time He "bent down" (The Future Second Coming), He drew on the ground the Triumphant Immaculate Heart of Mary, Our Mother, who is always pointing the way to Jesus, the King of Kings ("Do whatever He tells you." [John 2:5]) and warning us to be ready for His Final Judgement of us. Amen Alleluia!

(C) Keith John Paul Horcasitas, LCSW, MHA