Dropping the Stones

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She was caught in the act of adultery and dragged into the temple courts.

Head down, hands trembling, she avoided the eyes of the angry men surrounding her.

They couldn’t wait to pass judgment on her.

Their faces turned hard as the stones they longed to throw. After all, that was God’s law.

But the man who wrote on the ground, the pure man, the innocent one, the creator, savior, shepherd of men. He spoke to the crowd.

“Let him who is without sin throw the first stone.”

Angry muttering ceased.

Hearts of stone softened.

Angry fists opened.

Stones thudded to the ground.

One by one, with empty hands, the men turned away.

No stones were thrown that day.

So why do I harden my heart?

Why do I look for stones to throw?

Why do I feel the weight of these stones in my hands and on my heart?

I, too, am a sinner.

I am not the sinless man drawing on the ground.

Creator, shepherd, savior, teach me to open my heart and my hands. Teach me to drop the stones of judgment. Teach me to accept your grace and to offer it to sinners like me.