First Reading
Isaiah 43:16-21

1. Did God take care of the needs of the Israelites at different times on their journey? Or once he got them out of Egypt, did God say, “See you. You’re on your own now”? Would such a statement have any meaning for you?

2. God says in this reading, “Remember not the things of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new!” What was the “something new” God was talking about? What is the “something new” God gives to us in our day? What does God give you in your own life?

Second Reading
Philippians 3:8-14

1. Comparatively speaking, what are all your possessions worth, compared to Christ? How far are you willing to “accept the loss of all things” in order to gain Christ? Does this happen all at once or would baby steps be required for you to accept the loss of these “all things”?

2. St. Paul says, “forgetting what lies behind … I continue my pursuit toward the goal.” So, do you “forget” what lies behind? Or do you drive down a highway constantly looking in your rearview mirror? Do you “strain forward to see what lies ahead?” What happens to “now” if you are always looking forward or backwards?

Gospel
John 8:1-11

1. What was the woman’s reaction when Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin any more?” From his actions, what do you think Jesus thought about the law that dictated stoning? What would he think of torturing prisoners? Capital punishment?

2. What does Pope Francis say is the message for us in this story of the woman caught in adultery?

Mercy is the Lord’s most powerful message. … If we are like the Pharisee before the altar, who said: “Thank you, Lord, for not making me like all the other men, and especially not like that fellow at the door, like that publican,” …  well, then we do not know the heart of the Lord, and we shall not ever have the joy of feeling this mercy.

It is not easy to trust oneself to the mercy of God, because his mercy is an unfathomable abyss—but we must do it!
 
He has the ability to forget. ... He kisses you, he embraces you, and he says to you: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now, on, sin no more.” Only that counsel does he give you.

Pope Francis: Mercy is the Lord's Most Powerful Message Today
March 17, 2013