March 23, 2026
Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent / Optional Memorial of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo
Gospel: John 8:1-11

Today the Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo. The passage from the Gospel according to Saint John presents us with the scene of a woman caught in adultery. I wish to offer some reflections on this occasion.

We often treat those who live with us arbitrarily, following our own desires and the thoughts that arise in our hearts. These thoughts are frequently filled with evil notions brought by the prince of this world. Because of such evil notions, we habitually crave what is carnal—and what is craved by the flesh are the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, avarices, wickedness’s, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, pride, foolishness that come out of the heart, as Jesus said (cf. Mark 7:21-23). From these evil thoughts arise mutual accusations.

We know that what we think in our hearts, our bodies will do. Due to the nature of sin, we habitually overlook the various sins we commit against God’s holy will. This leads us, like the Pharisees in the Gospel, to take pleasure in accusing others. Yet today, Jesus tells us: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (cf. John 8:7). He asks us first to examine ourselves, recognize the sins we have committed, and under the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit, actively reconcile ourselves with God and His creation. May God’s love prevail in our hearts, so that we may live the spirit of the Gospel worthily each day. Following always the guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us no longer return to our sinful past but live in God’s love, supporting one another as we journey toward heaven.

O God, by whose wondrous grace we are enriched with every blessing, grant us so to pass from former ways to newness of life, that we may be made ready for the glory of the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica