On Throwing Stones

Note: Today’s blog post was written by Lauren Urzetta Frye and our Junior and Senior High Youth Groups utilizing their reflections on the readings.

March 22

Readings: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62  and Jn 8:1-11

This past Sunday I had the privilege and blessing to gather with our Junior High and Senior High teens at our “Bounce Back” retreat at Seneca Park. It was a beautiful day filled with sunshine, laughter, and smiles, and the teens finally had an opportunity to reconnect with each other.

While at the retreat we read John 8:1-11 together as a group, and the teens had a chance to share their thoughts. The teens focused specifically on the following verses:

“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. 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.”

Below are the words and reflections from some of those teens:

“No one is perfect, so don’t criticize someone else for not being perfect”

“Don’t be judgemental, we are all in this together”

“You never know what is happening at home; so why would you throw stones?!”

“We must make mistakes in order to grow”

“We don’t have a right to judge others on their stuff because we all have our own stuff”

“Sometimes it is necessary to call people out when they are hurting others”

“This story reminds me of the “golden rule”- all we have to do is treat others the way we want to be treated”

“We need to replace judgement with understanding”

“Appreciate everyone for their differences”

“We all make mistakes”

“Sart with love, not with hate”

When listening to the teens discuss the gospel, many of them related the scribes and Pharisees shaming the women to the injustices they are witnessing in today’s world. The group expressed a strong desire to be the generation of change. To be like Jesus, and call out those throwing stones, but also help those throwing stones grow and evolve. It was truly something beautiful the way they were able to see not only the perspective of Jesus, but still have compassion and a desire to help those like the scribes and the Pharisees change.