ACC ~ John 8 v8

A HUMBLE EXAMINATION

BEDE: In line with our usual human way of doing things, we can understand that the reason why the Lord might wish to bend before his unprincipled tempters and to write on the ground was that by directing his look elsewhere he might give them the freedom to go away. He foresaw that as they had been astounded by his answer, they would be more inclined to depart quickly than to ask him more questions….

Figuratively speaking, the fact that both before and after he gave his opinion he bent and wrote on the ground admonishes us that both before we rebuke a sinning neighbor and after we have rendered to him the ministry of due correction, we should subject ourselves to a suitably humble examination, lest perhaps we be entangled in the same things that we censure in [our neighbors] or in any other sort of misdeeds. For it often comes about, for example, that people who publicly judge a murderer to be a sinner may not perceive the worse evil of the hatred with which they themselves despoil someone in secret. People who bring an accusation against a fornicator may ignore the plague of the pride with which they congratulate themselves for their own chastity. People who condemn a drunkard may not see the venom of envy with which they themselves are eaten away. In dangers of this sort, what saving remedy is left for us except that, when we look at some other sinner, we immediately bend down—that is, we humbly observe how we would be cast down by our frail condition if divine benevolence did not keep us from falling? Let us write with a finger on the ground—that is, let us meticulously ponder with discrimination whether we can say with blessed Job, “For our heart does not censure us in all our life,” [1] and let us painstakingly remember that if our heart censures us, God is greater than our heart and he knows all things. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.25. [2]

[1] Job 27:6.

[2] CS 110:248-49*.

HE DOES NOT EVEN LOOK AT THEM

AUGUSTINE: Having pierced them through with the dart of justice, he chose not even to look on the fallen but averted his eyes. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 33.5. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:198-99*.