4. THE BEST VERSION OF MYSELF: PAUSE

Thursday, February 22nd

Read John 8:2-11 (copied below).

Follow Jesus…

The Pharisees bring a woman who had been caught in adultery to Jesus, asking what he has to say about her punishment according to the law. Before he responds, Jesus stops to write on the ground. He then does this again after saying, “Let anyone… who is without sin be the first to throw a stone…” Each time he pauses, he seems to be allowing space–first to consider his words, and then to see how the Pharisees react. One might expect Jesus to harshly judge the woman for breaking the law and the Pharisees for trying to disgrace and perhaps even kill her. Instead, he responds with compassion, mercy, and justice for everyone. His silent pauses may have been times in which he sought God’s guidance for his next step.

to be the best version of myself…

There are a variety of spiritual disciplines that can help us deepen in faith and love, practice humility and obedience, and be mindful of the sacrificial life of Jesus. This passage prompts me to consider the simple act of pausing throughout the day as a transforming discipline. As I seek to “become the best version of myself for the world”, I could include more pauses within my day to mindfully seek and allow God’s guiding presence. Even when my day is busy, I can find in-between moments for prayer, silence, distance, space, or breath; moments to pause and let God guide my intentions, temper my reactions, illumine my shortcomings, and reveal God’s goodness to me.

for the world.

God, Infinite Love,
Help me to pause throughout my day…
to weigh and consider my best response,
to refrain from reacting or judging,
to notice the needs of others,
to give you space to guide and inspire,
to observe your presence and work in my life,
and always to pray and praise you.

Our reading for Sunday (25th) is Matthew 15:29-31.

(Photo by Karen. This photo of a cairn inspires me to take my stones of judgment and place them as an altar of blessing.)

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(John 8:2-11 NRSVUE)

Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and, making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”