Today’s
Gospel Text:
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into
the Pharisee's house, and took his place at table. 37 And
behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at
table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at
his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them
with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the
ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who
had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet,
he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for
she is a sinner." 40 And Jesus answering said
to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered,
"What is it, Teacher?" 41 "A certain creditor
had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay,
he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "The
one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You
have judged rightly." 44 Then turning toward the
woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you
gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped
them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but
from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head
with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her
sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven
little, loves little." 48 And he said to her,
"Your sins are forgiven." 49 Then those who were at
table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even
forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman,
"Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
8 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, preaching
and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,
2 and also some women who
had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Mag'dalene, from
whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joan'na, the wife of
Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out
of their means. Luke
7:36-8:3
Reflection: Some
category of people never change, may be they like to take pride in their
culture, which they often consider as superior.
There
could be some who are humble among them but humbler than their proud neighbor and yet, according to their category.
Can
they be humbler still and more than the humble man outside of their community?
Here
in the gospel we seem to have had a similar situation.
Jesus
was invited by a Pharisee to eat at his house and he apparently seemed to be a
humble Pharisee acknowledging the gifts of Jesus and thus feels the need to honor
him.
Yet
he would not honor the guest with the honor due a guest and thus did not
provide him water to wash his feet, nor give Jesus the kiss of welcome nor
anointed his head with oil.
No
wonder the scripture reminds us that; “For the
beginning of pride is sin, and the man who clings to it
pours out abominations. Ecclus 10:13
On the other hand the sinful woman who refused to cling to
any pride, humbly came forward knowing what her fate could invite; the ridicule
of the righteous Pharisees.
She was not disappointed and received her reward for her
humility; the forgiveness of all her sins, the freedom from the bondage of sin.
One of the greatest blessings of the sacrament of
reconciliation, which is normally sown in humility of heart, is the forgiveness
of sin through the ministry of the Church entrusted to it by Christ Jesus. (cfr.Jn.
20:23)
And,
if to humility is added the love of God, issuing forth from a sincere heart,
then one will reap abundance of graces through the one from all good things
come.
Prayer: Lord,
pour out your love in me and teach me the path of humility that I may find
forgiveness in thee.
DD = Dedicated
Discipleship: Come grow
in the Lord with us
