A Woman Caught Short of Adultery

A woman was fond of a handsome colleague in the office. He in turn responded to her affection. They found time to spend with each other over lunch, at meetings, office picnics. They were both married. Not to each other, though. That would have been ideal. But that was not the case.

This extra attention and going-abouts between two married individuals to different spouses became a source of concern for someone who knew the spouses of the infatuated couple. The spouses were wonderful individuals themselves who would not give cause to their married partners for such dalliances. It was unfortunate and unnecessary.

The man wondered what to do and bit the bullet. He confided to the woman’s husband of what he was witnessing to make him aware and to do what is considered best in the husband’s view. The husband was clearly taken aback. He thanked his friend knowing the friend’s intention was good. He also recognized that it could not have been easy for his friend to do what he did.

The husband loved his wife. He was wondering where he had fallen short that his wife should seek the affection of another. He wondered if he should take it up with her when they were home. He decided not to. Instead, he spent time in prayer.

The prayer was simple. “Lord, if I am at fault correct me. If not, help my wife not to do what is offensive to you and attract your displeasure and punishment. I only wish your best for her. I do love her as much today as I did when we took the sacred oath of marriage with you in our presence blessing our marriage. Amen.”

The husband’s affection for his wife did not change. Nor his behavior toward her. In fact, he became more sensitive toward her. He was more mindful of her needs and showed his continued affection in different ways. It did not change anything in the office though with the two married colleagues continuing to spend more time with each other, and more often, out of sight of their office colleagues.

The friend checked back with the husband if the wife and husband had addressed the issue. The husband said he did not want to confront his wife and embarrass her. For it could take a turn which he was not prepared for. He said he offered her in prayer to the good Lord. He believed the Lord’s wisdom was infinite and he did not think he should interfere with it.

The friend thought differently. He spoke to the wife now. He told her that he could not help sharing with her husband what he was witnessing in the office. He did not think it was right for her to do what she was doing even if it seemed like an innocent, friendly relationship with a colleague. It was not expected behavior from two married colleagues. It was also causing concern to other colleagues in the office. It was only a matter of time that one of them will be asked to leave the organization when the matter reaches top management’s attention.

The wife asked what was her husband’s reaction when he was told. The friend related what the husband had told him. That he offered her to the good Lord for the Lord’s wisdom is infinitely more than his. He did not want to confront her on this issue or say something that would make their relationship at home a strain for her.

That evening over dinner the wife looked at her husband and said, “I am sorry”. The husband replied, “Don’t think about it for another second”. We are fine.

Our gracious and merciful God, who is slow to anger and rich in forgiveness expects nothing more from us when we sin. Be aware. Sincerely repent. Say sorry. Don’t succumb or permit that sin to persist in our life. Full stop.  

God does not get angry with his creation. He sorrows that we do not wish to live in closeness with Him. That we love another more than we love Him. That when the realization of sin hits us we feel ashamed and run away from God instead of towards Him. When we run away from Him, we run the danger of running even closer to someone who caused us to sin in the first place. Satan, devil, evil spirit. God cannot stop the evil one from prevailing on us. He has given us the free will to choose.

Judas betrayed Jesus for love of money. He believed his sin was so grave that God was incapable of forgiving him. Judas was wrong. He took his own life.  Peter denied Jesus. He had not got over the arrest and Jesus’ submission to the soldiers. Peter had pulled out his sword and cut off the high priest servant Malchus’ ears. He was set to defend Jesus. Such was his love for Jesus.

But Jesus’ acceptance of his own arrest completely unsettled Peter’s expectation of the Messiah, the Son of God. He lost focus. He was not sure for whom had he given up everything. Peter was always known to be impulsive. Was the decision to sacrifice his whole life for this man Jesus who said He was God and yet when the time came to prove the might of God, did nothing of the sort? Was the decision to follow Jesus just another impulsive decision?

Post the resurrection seeing Jesus on the beach by a charcoal fire Peter leaped off the boat and rushed to Jesus. He wanted to fall at Jesus’ feet and say, “I am sorry”. He did not know how to go about it. Jesus did. He helped out Peter through the torment of saying the words.

Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me more than all these (other apostles)? Jesus asked Peter thrice. Peter had denied Jesus thrice. So, one for each time. Peter said, “Lord, you know I do”. Thrice. Peter was ready to take on the mantle of being the first bishop of the church which continues unhindered despite several challenges to this day.

A simple “sorry” is all it takes to be right with your spouse. And, with the spouse of the church. With the Father of creation. With the Holy Spirit. Through Mother Mary, the archangels and all the saints who died in Christ. We through our sincere sorry hope to join the pantheon of saints when we are done with our time on earth.

No sin in our God’s eyes is so grave that his mercy should fall short. Don’t limit God when He blesses. Don’t limit Him to forgive in full, either.