Setting: It is suggested that there is a large cross placed centrally or at the front of the church. As people arrive, they collect a stone - choose fairly substantial ones. 

Before the Liturgy starts, spend time reflecting on the stone you picked up. Set it in the context of today’s Gospel: who "throws stones" at you? Who do you "throw stones" at? What stones do you throw at yourself? What burden might the stone represent? What hardness within you needs to be softened?

BUT WE COME IN TRUST THAT GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES TO FORGIVE THOSE WHO TURN BACK TO HIM.
 

Jesus asks, "Who condemns you?"
We have not given time to prayer and the Word of God –
busy-ness snatches away the moments when God could nourish and strengthen us –

BUT WE COME IN TRUST THAT GOD HAS PLANTED IN US A LIGHT OF LOVE,
THAT WE ARE HIS CHILDREN
AND HE DELIGHTS IN US.
 

Jesus asks, "Who condemns you?"
We have become disheartened by our lack of fruitfulness –
of our inability to change – 

BUT WE COME IN TRUST THAT GOD BELIEVES IN US
AND DESIRES TO PRUNE AND FEED US –
AND IS PATIENT – BELIEVING IN OUR POTENTIAL.
 

Jesus asks, "Who condemns you?"
We seek our own way – believing we can do things on our own –
we squander the gifts that God has given to us.

BUT WE COME IN TRUST THAT GOD IS WAITING FOR OUR RETURN,
THAT WE ARE HERE BECAUSE GOD HAS CALLED US
AND YEARNS TO EMBRACE US IN FORGIVENESS.
 

Jesus asks, "Who condemns you?"
Words spoken centuries ago to a woman brought low in shame and humiliation –
words spoken to us today.

WE COME,
DARING TO BELIEVE IN A GOD WHO DOES NOT SEEK TO CONDEMN
BUT SENT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE IT.
WE BELIEVE IN A GOD WHO REVEALED HIS LOVE IN A MAN CALLED JESUS
WHO REACHES OUT – TO RAISE US TO OUR FEET –
REACHING OUT WITH PEACE – RECONCILIATION – HEALING.
 

Short reflection
 

Opportunity for individual absolution

Closing Responses

When we stood accused
by others
and by ourselves

JESUS NOTICED US
AND LISTENED TO THE ACCUSATIONS
AND THEN ASKED WHO COULD CONDEMN US –

SO WE GO,
NO LONGER ACCUSING OURSELVES
OF SINS THAT HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN;
NOR CONDEMNING OTHERS
FOR THE SINS THAT GOD HAS FORGIVEN THEM
 

We were cast down and weighed down by our sin
afraid to begin again in case we made the same mistakes.

AND JESUS REACHED OUT
AND RAISED US TO OUR FEET –

SO WE GO,
SURE OF HIS CONFIDENCE IN US
TO LIVE AS HE WOULD HAVE US LIVE
PEOPLE WHO ARE FREE TO CHOOSE
WHO SEEK TO CHOOSE THAT WHICH IS GOOD.
 

We have seen the love and power of God
who triumphs over the powers of sin and death

AND SO WE LEAVE BEHIND THE THINGS OF THE PAST
AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE.

WE HAVE NOT YET WON
WE ARE STILL RUNNING THE RACE –
BUT WE KNOW THE PRIZE THAT AWAITS US
AND LIVE IN JOYFUL HOPE
OF GAINING THE PRIZE TO WHICH GOD CALLS US UPWARDS
TO RECEIVE IN CHRIST JESUS.
AMEN.
 

©2007 Wellspring