Holy pause

This extract from Rowan Williams' book Writing in the Dust: After September 11, about the woman caught in adultery was presented to us in class this morning in the context of reimagining an event - and the response to an event - through the lens of scripture.
The last line in particular spoke to me deeply about the power of letting the process work, of trusting the power of waiting.

When the accusation is made, Jesus at first makes no reply but writes with his finger on the ground.  What on earth is he doing?...  He hesitates. He does not draw a line, fix an interpretation, tell the woman who she is and what her fate should be. He allows a moment, and longish moment, in which people are given time to see themselves differently precisely because he refuses to make the sense they want.  When he lifts his head, there is both judgement and release. 

So this is writing in the dust because it tries to hold that moment for a little longer, long enough for some of our demons to walk away.

Rowan Williams ~ Writing in the Dust