TAR REMOVAL

Photograph: Steve Schofield for the Guardian

In an interview published by the Guardian, the former White House intern Monica Lewinsky who twenty years ago engaged in an adulteress affair with President Bill Clinton stated that “shame sticks to you like tar.”

Twenty years ago! 

Ms. Lewinsky is fortunate to have felt shame; many don’t. She’s wiser than she was; many aren’t. Shame can cause us to reflect on our bad behavior, to regret, to repent and want forgiveness.

I don’t know if Ms. Lewinsky has given it a try but Christ makes a good tar remover.

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said,“All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman,“Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” – John 8:4-11