Casting the first stone
A Mexican standoff. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.” We all know this Biblical saying. But imagine what a boring world it would be if we subscribe to it. None of us are without sin, even if we do not kill, we may lie. Sin is sin, isn’t it? if I am to judge my kleptomaniac neighbor, he also has the right to judge me, so what we have here ladies and gentlemen, is a Mexican standoff. No stones will be cast today. You may now proceed to your homes.
In this day and age, casting the first stone is a luxury not readily affordable. There is a race to get to that first stone and prizes are awarded. Well at least so it seems. Everyone’s fingers are pointed at everyone else but themselves. We see the guy creeping on his wife but our own spousal abuse is overlooked. As long as we are not cheating, it’s all good. Sin that is highly visible takes precedent over sin that is behind closed doors and that makes it easier for the closeted sinner to cast the first stone.
Isn’t it funny that casting that first stone is almost the same as being the first one with the correct answer? We all want to be the one who outed the sinner. ’I caught him red-handed’ is a triumphant cry, worthy of a trophy but our hands stay in our pockets for fear that they too might be seen to be red.
So why is it so much easier to cast the first stone even if we do not fit the criteria of a qualified stone caster? Why is it easier to ignore our own failures while pointing out those in others? Is it even possible for us to first look at ourselves before we look at others? I fear not.
