ACC ~ John 8 v10

BISHOPS ARE TO BE AS MERCIFUL AS JESUS WAS

DIDASCALIA: If you [the bishop] are not merciful to the penitent, you sin against the Lord God because you have not been persuaded, nor have you believed our Savior and God by doing what he did for that sinful woman whom the elders set before him and went away, leaving him to pass sentence. But he who searches the hearts asked her, “‘Have the elders condemned you, my daughter?’ She answered him, ‘No, Lord.’ Then he said to her, ‘Go your way. I also do not condemn you.’” This is where our Savior, King and God must be a pattern for you bishops. DIDASCALIA 7. [1]

[1] DA 76**. See also the Apostolic Constitutions 2.4.24 (ANF 7:408).

HER ANSWER CONFESSES HER SIN

AUGUSTINE: He was granting pardon, but while he was granting it he raised his face to her and said, “Has no one stoned you?” And she did not say, “Why? What have I done, Lord? I’m not guilty, am I? That is not what she said. What she said was,”No one, Lord.” She accused herself. They had been unable to prove it against her and had withdrawn. But she confessed, because her Lord was not unaware of her guilt but was nonetheless seeking her faith and her confession. “Has no one stoned you?” “No one, Lord.” “No one”—that is confession of sins. “Lord”—that is pardon of what she deserved. “No one, Lord. I acknowledge both things. I know who you are; I know who I am. It is to you I am confessing. You see, I have heard the words, ‘Confess to the Lord, for he is good.’ [1] I know my confession, I know your mercy.” SERMON 16A.5. [2]

[1] Ps 106:1 (105:1 LXX, Vg).

[2] WSA 3 1:350-51.

Jn