Jesus does not condemn the woman who has been caught in the act of adultery in John 8. Jesus does not even raise the question of the adulteress’ guilt.

With this actions Jesus defines how to deal with the biblical law. He does not trivialise the sin. Adultery is not a “trivial offence”.

Nor does he condemn the woman. Rather, he calls for repentance: “From now on sin no more”. God’s love invites to surrender and reorientation.

This is the key to handle the divine commandments. The commandments are a goal and an orientation for us because they have the good intention of saving us human beings from chaos.

Our focus is not on guilt, but on reconciliation with God and with our fellow human beings, and on reconciliation with life.