2/28/12 In Class

Describe a time when you feel that you pleased God.
What led you to that state?
How did it make you feel?

     I feel that one of my gifts is to be able to a good listener and advice giver to those who want it. Though I don't always feel like a great fount of wisdom, there have been many instances in which people have come to me when they have needed support, whether they have known me for a long time, or barely at all.
     When I am able to engage people on this level, I feel really in tune with God, and I definitely feel Him guide me through these conversations, as people can get themselves into to really sticky situations. I feel that through God, I am able to be an advocate for His truth, and I can use a bit of His divine wisdom, whether gathered through experience, the Word, or from the Holy Spirit to help others.
      When I open up, listen, and help others, I feel that I am truly pleasing God. Even though many times people are going through difficult things, I feel at peace after sharing some wisdom and bringing some comfort into their lives.

3/6/12 In-class

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say? They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on on the ground with his finger.

What was Jesus writing with his finger?

Maybe Jesus was writing down their sins for them to see. It is possible that he could see the sins of their hearts and put them out for all to see, just as they were doing to the woman. If they were in violation of the law, what did they deserve? There were often objections to what Jesus said, but when he said, "Whoever has not sinned, cast the first stone," everyone simply left. Perhaps some of them ran, perhaps in fear or shock. Maybe he put their names there as well, or perhaps scripture. His knowledge of scripture was unmatched, and so perhaps he was writing scripture that pertained to their sins as well. 

You know what else I think he was writing? I think he was forgiving them. He forgave the woman, so why not them as well? It would be very powerful to write "Jorge, you have lusted after this woman." But wouldn't it be even more powerful if it said, "Jorge, you have lusted after this woman, and I forgive you." Who knows, but that seems like something he might do.