Shaming women is still a problem in our culture. What can we learn from Jesus’ example?

In today’s Gospel, we hear the story often called “The Woman Caught in Adultery,” but a new label is needed, one that places emphasis where it was intended. Perhaps, “The Woman Whom Jesus Saw and Respected” or “Jesus Corrects Jewish Leaders” would be more accurate. Modern readers must be mindful of how labels influence the way a text is interpreted.

The passage read today comes from John, but how it fits into the Gospel is complicated. The earliest manuscripts of John do not include the story, and some traditions record it at different points in the Gospel or even in the Gospel of Luke. Despite its complex textual history, the story itself is accepted as an authentic tradition that might have circulated independently of the Gospels.

In the narrative, scribes and Pharisees bring a woman for public judgment and execution because she was caught (perhaps in the act of) committing adultery. The traumatic impact that this discovery would have made on the couple should be noted, even if the text does not give this attention. The Jewish leaders prepare to stone her, citing Mosaic law, although laws regarding stoning for adultery require both parties be put to death (Lv 20:10, Dt 22:22). Her alleged partner is not mentioned which unfortunately reflects a tendency in some texts to highlight women’s faults and have them incur judgment and blame.

The leaders question Jesus on how they should handle the woman. Jesus twice writes on the ground, perhaps preparing his response or signaling that he was ignoring their test. When he finally speaks, Jesus says to the men, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” None of them could, so they departed. Then, Jesus asks the woman if anyone has condemned her. When she says no, he replies, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

Jesus could have simply said do not condemn this woman—which would have been an excellent response. Instead, he goes further by recognizing the arrogance and judgment of the leaders who are persecuting her and calling on them to be self-reflective. Rather than publicly humiliate the woman, the men should evaluate themselves and their own misdeeds.

While the passage builds on the past weeks’ themes of repentance and forgiveness, it has much more to offer. The story shows us the power and problems of shame and humiliation. It should inspire us to think about modern parallels and how we can treat one another with dignity and respect, as Jesus does.

Many people in the church and world have been judgmental and critical, especially regarding women, womens’ bodies and sexual activities. Like the woman in today’s Gospel, modern women often face the unenviable burden of being shamed for sexual actions and even shamed when they are victims of sexual violations. The #MeToo movementspeaks to these realities, with countless survivors of sexual harassment and misconduct sharing their stories and not always being believed. What’s worse, is that they are sometimes victim-shamed for their circumstances. What did the woman do to invite harassment? Why did she put herself in the situation to be sexually violated? Victim shaming and blaming, criticism and public scrutiny unfortunately are modern examples of what the scribes and Pharisees do in today’s Gospel.

We must recognize what Jesus does and does not do in the story. Jesus sees the woman and addresses her directly, which the men in the story never do. Moreover, he refuses to condemn her and does not judge her sins even as he instructs her to sin no more. He does not see her as the woman caught in adultery, and nor should we. In addition, when speaking to the men, Jesus shifts the spotlight onto their sinful behavior, suggesting they focus on repentance rather than judgment. As we near the end of our Lenten journey, today’s Gospel calls on us to be merciful, empathetic and attentive to our own shortcomings, working to improve in all areas.