Fifth Sunday of Lent

Today the Church celebrates the Fifth Sunday of Lent. The assigned readings are Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:8-14, and John 8:1-11. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 126 (Psalm 126:1-6).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 34 Taste and see how good our God can be

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them.

Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. 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. So what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him.

Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."

Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

She replied, "No one, sir."

Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fifth Sunday of Lent (March 13, 2016)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Fifth Sunday of Lent (March 13, 2016)

Community in Mission: Counting the Cost of Condemnation (12 MAR 16)

Deacon Greg Kandra: Second Chances: Homily for March 13, 2016, 5th Sunday of Lent (12 MAR 16)

The Sacred Page: Jesus and the New Exodus: Readings for 5th Sunday of Lent (9 MAR 16)

The Sacred Page: The Woman Caught in Adultery: The Sunday Mass Readings Explained (5th Sunday in Lent) (4th Sunday in Lent) (11 MAR 16)

Word on Fire: Misery and Mercy (Cycle C * Lent * Week 5)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: Something New: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday of Lent (7 MAR 16)

The Dispatch: Zeal for the Law and Casting the First Stone (12 MAR 16)

Spirituality of the Readings: Caught! (Fifth Sunday of Lent C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Stunning the Stoners (Fifth Sunday of Lent C)

The Word Embodied: Resenting Forgiveness (Fifth Sunday of Lent C)

Historical Cultural Context: Jesus as Judge (Fifth Sunday of Lent C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Augustine of Hippo (Fifth Sunday of Lent C)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Fifth Sunday of Lent (12 MAR 16)