It is 13th March 2016. It is the Fifth Sunday of Lent. The readings are from Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:8-14; and the Gospel from John 8:1-11. Prophet Isaiah encourages us to move on in our lives with trust in the Lord. He tells the people of Israel that God wants to perform a miracle of change through a new Exodus. From slavery to salvation; from tears to cheers; from desert to oasis of blessings. We cannot be ruminating over the past failures and mistakes. We have to move on in our lives because we can with the Lord. Since there is always a possibility of newness through our merciful God, we need to perceive the new leaf that springs up in our lives. “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new.” (Is.43:18). The responsorial Psalm praises God: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” (Ps. 126:3). In the second reading, St. Paul motivates us not to look back rather to let God to work and create newness in us. “Forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.3:14). The Gospel brings out the most profound picture of the merciful Lord and the offer of Jesus to enjoy another chance to bring out the best in us. Our lives do not change by confronting and self-condemnation rather by confessing our past to the Lord and to have courage to move forward. We need to believe that the Lord is very much interested in newness of life when we have made up our minds to quit sinfulness. Let us let go off the past and let in the merciful God. Let us move forward in our lives and allowing others to move forward when they are caught red handed. Jesus is not interested in condemning or condoning our past. He expects us not to judge but to show mercy and compassion at all times. “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” (Jn.8:11). May God bless you to have a good day.