text: Hopeful but naive. I can't help but return to the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. The hypocritical rigourists sought to apply the letter of the law and make a fool of the "teacher". They were stymied by Jesus simply writing on the ground, changing the subject and calling out the relative indecency of the accusers?  Discussion? Nice, meaningful but something seems missing. Has civility trumped Trump and ilk? Do "justice" and "decency", "mercy" even Christ's message actually stand on their merits? Not one commentator I have seen refers to the possible effect of the "crowd" of people - sensitive to the elevated and enlightened message of the teacher - standing with and for Jesus and  the vulnerable woman; for the message of pragmatic mercy and for the safety of the teacher and the woman.  
  Note that the "crowd" only disbursed after the last of the Pharisees and lawyers left. Makes me think. 
  The real "discussion" was between Jesus and the woman. Also makes me think.