Throwing Stones 

   “Why do you chisel the shortcomings of others into rock while recording your own sins on the sands?” (Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, “The Road of Hope:  A Gospel from Prison”) 

   How easy it is to point out the sins of others while over-looking our own.  We go to confession, repent, and accept forgiveness for our sins.  Yet we hold others to account for their sins, unwilling to accept that they too may have received forgiveness.

   I’ve heard people say they can’t trust someone because of their past actions, even when they have apologized and sincerely regret the evils done in their past.  If we are to apply that logic universally none of us are to be trusted.  We have all sinned and continue sinning so how can we accept our forgiveness if we are unwilling to forgive others?  In the Lord’s Prayer we say, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Matt 6: 12).  If we refuse to forgive others, we cannot expect forgiveness for ourselves.

   “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8: 7).  No one dared throw a stone at the prostitute after Jesus’ statement.  We too, have no right to cast stones at others when we are also sinners.  The Lord will judge, and He will judge rightly.  It is our duty to love as He loved, in forgiveness and mercy.

   There are none among us who are without sin, so we are in no position to judge or condemn others for theirs.  That doesn’t mean we should accept sinfulness in ourselves or others, but it is the sin, not the sinner that we are to reject. 

We are all sinners.

Yet we too readily condemn others.

Teach us to forgive.

To love as You love. 

Amen