Chapter Seven.

Discernment and Diagnosis in Human Development.

        The Gospel account of the woman caught in adultery who was brought to Christ for judgment (Jn 8:2-11) is a dramatic example of discernment and diagnosis in religious life. “Teacher,” Jesus was challenged by some religious leaders of his time, “the law of Moses commanded that such should be stoned — what do you say about her?” Put on the spot in the presence of a crowd, Jesus remained silent, scribbling on the ground. When the question persisted, he stood up and said to the accusers: “Let him who is sinless among you be the first to cast a stone.” And again he bent down to scribble. Hearing his words, the accusers, one by one, beginning with the oldest, went away. Jesus then said to the woman: “No one has condemned you? Neither do I condemn you. Go, and do not sin again.”

        Although scant in historical detail, this dramatic account leads us to perceive divergent kinds of religious discernment and diagnostic action. On the one hand, the religious leaders discerned that a serious breach of God's law had occurred and apparently arrived at the decision that the law's provision had to be applied lest God's will be subverted and the authority of the tradition be compromised. On the other hand, Christ's teaching about God's love and mercy toward sinners dictated a chance at a new start for the woman, that is, both forgiveness and a call to responsible future behavior. The religious leaders were concerned about upholding the authority of the law and tradition. Jesus was concerned about God's ultimate purpose behind the law and God's will for this woman — to be saved and not to be condemned.

        Moreover, there was a trap in the question. Christ's adversaries intended to expose him before the crowd either as advocating subversion of God's law or contradicting his own principle of mercy toward sinners. Religious values and warrants were being used in an attempt to destroy the woman as well as Jesus who undoubtedly appeared the greater threat to the religious tradition. In a masterful way Jesus not only escaped the trap but also succeeded in his salutary purposes. He granted a new start to the woman. He also provided a way of escape for his adversaries who, hopefully, withdrew with much food for thought about religious values. And the crowd witnessed a concrete, dramatic expression of God's love and forgiveness toward a sinner through Christ.