During his public ministry Jesus taught of love, compassion, and peace. He did not judge or condemn others; rather he accepted them as they were, broken and human. “Mercy is God’s kind of justice”, said St. Therese of Lisieux.

Mercy, these days, appears to be in very short supply. The vitriol and harsh rhetoric that has replaced reasoned dialogue and thoughtful conversation has suppressed mercy and kindness toward others. We judge others, as did the scribes and Pharisees, with hardened hearts. Verbal invectives are like stones hurled against others.

It is difficult to see how we can so easily cast stones at one another when we ourselves are not without sin. Yet we do so with appalling regularity. Often, we are unaware that we are thrusting judgment upon others; we allow our own bias and prejudice temper our personal perception of others. Throwing stones at others is often an unthinking act; the size of the stone may be like a grain of sand, small and seemingly insignificant. But stones of any size thrown with sufficient force are painful. They damage both the one who is stoned as well as the one who hurls them.

We know that we are sinners, repeat offenders. We are, by our very nature, born with the inclination to sin. And often that inclination appears to be an acutely steep and slippery slope. If in our hearts we are so inclined, then how difficult should it be to cast stones at others? This is the point that Jesus made when he told the scribes and Pharisees “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” [Jn 8:7]. And that is why they silently walked away, one by one, humbled and ashamed. In their hearts they knew that they were sinners. They all walked away, silently admitting their sinfulness. Only Jesus and the woman remained.

Jesus refused to offer condemnation upon the woman caught in the act of adultery. He said “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again” [Jn 8:11]. God’s mercy is forgiveness; our sins are forgiven, go and sin no more.

In our hearts we know that we are sinners. No matter how much we wish to be perfect we cannot be for only God is perfect. But we know that God is merciful and forgiving and that despite our brokenness He loves and forgives us. God never throws stones, He forgives. As Jesus tells us we must “Go and do likewise” [Jn 10:37].