Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the fifth week of Lent, March 23rd, 2026

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Daniel 13: 1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62; Rs psalm 23: 1-3a.3b-4.5.6; John 8: 1-11.WHEN STONE AND STICK REFUSE The title for our meditation today is: When Stone andStick Refuse. Jude is a naughty and stubborn teenager but smart. Both of hisparents have been summoned more than once to the school by the principal andteacher regarding their boy's behavior. At home, Jude has been given variouskinds of punishment, from the ordinary reprimands to the slaps and otherphysical beatings. Among all these punishments, what Jude always tries to avoidis his father's beating using pieces of wood or throwing objects that are withinhis hands reach. Here is Jude's ingenuity serves to save himself fromthe punishment of his father. He hides the sticks and objects that his fatheralways uses to hit him. Jude does it especially when he wants to do somethingnaughty. He should first hide the stone, things, and sticks. As a result, whenhis father is about to punish him, the sticks, stone or things are out ofplace. Stones and sticks that are easy to use are no longer found. The fatherthen relents. He feels like a person who is not strong anymore. He must think twice, that in the end "stone andstick or objects refuse" to be used in punishing his son. He must findanother way, which according to education is certainly more effective, whencorrections and improvements are to be made. The repressive or offensiveapproach in how we solve problems in life is no longer advisable and effectivefor today's education and human formation. The science of education, andspecifically the one taught by Saint John Bosco, that in overcoming problems ofdiscipline, delinquency, chaos, we need to use the preventive system. Today we meet Jesus Christ in the midst of a crowdthat is always in opposition with Him mostly on the matter of understanding andbelief, namely the Pharisees and the scribes. They faced a problem thataccording to the law was a very grave one. A woman was found committingadultery, and this is considered a sin that must be paid by death. Therepressive nature of the Jewish law demands that this sinner be put to death bystoning at her. The Jewish men also invloved in this sin of adultery were theones who condemned the woman. Jesus came with an approach of love and mercy.This approach starts with an awakening of awareness and self-knowledge. The new way of Jesus involves activating rationality,awareness, reflection, opening the eyes and heart as the first stage. Then onceawareness and self-knowledge are already formed, especially in knowing that weare sinners and we need renewal, God pleases to forgive us. That process wasexperienced by the sinful woman told in the today's Gospel. The power of lovebrought by the Lord Jesus is able to eliminate the use of "stone, sticksor other objects" as instruments to create goodness, justice, and peace.We must follow this power of love. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O most loving and merciful Jesus, in comingcloser to the Holy Week, may we we will be stronger in our preparation both ourbodies and souls. Hail Mary, full of grace... In the name of the Father ...