Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11

Today’s readings invite us to embrace God’s mercy, leave behind the past, and press forward in faith.

In Isaiah 43:16-21, God reminds His people of how He made a way through the sea during the Exodus. Yet, He tells them, “Do not remember the former things”—not because the past is unimportant, but because He is doing something new. God is not just the God of past miracles but the One who continues to work in our lives today. He opens paths in our deserts and brings streams to refresh our weary souls.

In Philippians 3:8-14, St. Paul expresses his deep desire to know Christ. He sees everything else as “rubbish” compared to gaining Christ and sharing in His sufferings. He acknowledges that he has not yet reached perfection but presses on, forgetting what lies behind and striving toward the heavenly prize. His words remind us that our faith is a journey—we are called not to dwell on past failures but to keep moving forward in Christ.

In John 8:1-11, Jesus encounters a woman caught in adultery. The scribes and Pharisees want to condemn her, but Jesus turns their accusations back on them: “Let the one who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” One by one, they leave, and Jesus tells the woman, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.” This is the heart of the Gospel—God’s mercy is greater than our sin, and His call is always to transformation, not condemnation.

These readings remind us that God is always doing something new, calling us to let go of the past and move forward in faith. Like Paul, let us press on toward Christ, and like the woman forgiven by Jesus, let us walk in newness of life. Amen.

Your Priest,

Father Charles Enyinnia