Casting Stones

Last week @ connecT we reflected on John 8, the woman caught in adultery, and the casting of stones (throwing rocks @ people). This was in the context of a little series looking @ forgiveness. We all do it, sometimes: casting stones, that is. Forgiveness, perhaps, a little less, I would suggest. We are all adept at noticing the sins of others and the justifiable punishment we often feel should accompany them. We are not so good at noticing our own: 'whoever is without sin, cast the first stone'. As we enter into Advent, Tony Kelly has some wise words on this theme: Christ alone is judge. Our responsibility as believers is to pass no final judgment...to us is given the task of proclaiming his Gospel in patience and forgiveness, in giving and receiving, in dialogue among ourselves and with those who do not believe, and in holding the grace we have received as meant for all. (Kelly, T 1996, The Creed by Heart: re-learning the Nicene Creed, HarperCollinsReligious, Blackburn, Victoria, P. 155) Chris