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I'm ashamed of something I've done
The Gospels are full of people who had done things they were ashamed of — and of what Jesus did when they came near.
Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
John 8:11 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
Awaiting theological review
What Jesus teaches
- Strong principle
Summary of Luke 15:1–32
The parables of Luke 15 end in joy over the one who returns.
What Christian tradition learns from this
Church teaching
What Jesus did
- Direct
The woman caught in adultery
John 8:1–11- What Jesus experienced
- A public trap: a woman shamed before a crowd.
- What Jesus did
- He turned the accusers' attention to their own sins, refused to condemn her — and called her to change.
- What Jesus said
“Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.”
John 8:11 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
- Direct
The good thief
Luke 23:39–43- What Jesus experienced
- A dying criminal asking to be remembered.
- What Jesus did
- He promised him paradise that very day.
- What Jesus said
“Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
- Direct
Peter: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man”
Luke 5:1–11- What Jesus experienced
- Peter, overwhelmed, asking Jesus to go away.
- What Jesus did
- Jesus did not leave. He called him.
- What Jesus said
“Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”
Luke 5:10 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
What Scripture doesn’t tell us
Shame and guilt are not the same. Scripture takes sin seriously, but the Gospels never show Jesus using shame to push people away. If shame is overwhelming you, please talk to someone you trust.
Someone who walked this road
- Saint Augustine of HippoEarly Christian source
He wrote a whole book, the Confessions, about the life he was ashamed of — as a song of praise for God's mercy.
Explore connections → - Saint Mary MagdaleneScripture
Jesus freed her from seven demons (Luke 8:2); she became the first witness of the Resurrection.
Explore connections →
One thing to do today
If you are Catholic, consider going to confession this week. If not, tell God in your own words what you are ashamed of — and then read Luke 15.
- What would you say to Jesus if, like Peter, you felt you should ask him to leave?