Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 446
Lectionary: 446
I am reminding you,
brothers and sisters,
of the Gospel I preached to you,
which you indeed received and in which you also stand.
Through it you are also being saved,
if you hold fast to the word I preached to you,
unless you believed in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once,
most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
After that he appeared to James,
then to all the Apostles.
Last of all, as to one born abnormally,
he appeared to me.
For I am the least of the Apostles,
not fit to be called an Apostle,
because I persecuted the Church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am,
and his grace to me has not been ineffective.
Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them;
not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me.
Therefore, whether it be I or they,
so we preach and so you believed.
of the Gospel I preached to you,
which you indeed received and in which you also stand.
Through it you are also being saved,
if you hold fast to the word I preached to you,
unless you believed in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once,
most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
After that he appeared to James,
then to all the Apostles.
Last of all, as to one born abnormally,
he appeared to me.
For I am the least of the Apostles,
not fit to be called an Apostle,
because I persecuted the Church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am,
and his grace to me has not been ineffective.
Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them;
not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me.
Therefore, whether it be I or they,
so we preach and so you believed.
Responsorial Psalm PS 118:1B-2, 16AB-17, 28
R. (1) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
“The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
the right hand of the LORD has struck with power.”
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
You are my God, and I give thanks to you;
O my God, I extol you.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
“The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
the right hand of the LORD has struck with power.”
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
You are my God, and I give thanks to you;
O my God, I extol you.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Gospel LK 7:36-50
A certain Pharisee
invited Jesus to dine with him,
and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
Now there was a sinful woman in the city
who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;
one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.
Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman?
When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,
but she has bathed them with her tears
and wiped them with her hair.
You did not give me a kiss,
but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil,
but she anointed my feet with ointment.
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven;
hence, she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
Now there was a sinful woman in the city
who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;
one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.
Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman?
When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,
but she has bathed them with her tears
and wiped them with her hair.
You did not give me a kiss,
but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil,
but she anointed my feet with ointment.
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven;
hence, she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Meditation: "Which will love him more?"
What fuels the love that surpasses all other loves? Unbounding
gratitude for sure! No one who met Jesus could do so with indifference. They
were either attracted to him or repelled by him. Why did a rabbi invite Jesus
to a nice dinner and then treat him discourteously by neglecting to give him
the customary signs of respect and honor? Simon was very likely a collector of
celebrities. He patronized Jesus because of his popularity with the crowds. Why
did he criticize Jesus' compassionate treatment of a woman of ill repute - most
likely a prostitute? The Pharisees shunned the company of public sinners and in
so doing they neglected to give them the help they needed to find healing and
wholeness.
The power of extravagant love and gratitude
Why did a woman with a bad reputation approach Jesus and anoint him with her tears and costly perfume at the risk of ridicule and abuse by others? The woman's action was motivated by one thing, and one thing only, namely, her love for Jesus - she loved greatly out of gratitude for the kindness and forgiveness she had received from Jesus. She did something a Jewish woman would never do in public. She loosened her hair and anointed Jesus with her tears. It was customary for a woman on her wedding day to bind her hair. For a married woman to loosen her hair in public was a sign of grave immodesty. This woman was oblivious to all around her, except for Jesus.
Why did a woman with a bad reputation approach Jesus and anoint him with her tears and costly perfume at the risk of ridicule and abuse by others? The woman's action was motivated by one thing, and one thing only, namely, her love for Jesus - she loved greatly out of gratitude for the kindness and forgiveness she had received from Jesus. She did something a Jewish woman would never do in public. She loosened her hair and anointed Jesus with her tears. It was customary for a woman on her wedding day to bind her hair. For a married woman to loosen her hair in public was a sign of grave immodesty. This woman was oblivious to all around her, except for Jesus.
Love gives all - the best we have
She also did something which only love can do. She took the most precious thing she had and spent it all on Jesus. Her love was not calculated but extravagant. In a spirit of humility and heart-felt repentance, she lavishly served the one who showed her the mercy and kindness of God. Jesus, in his customary fashion, never lost the opportunity to draw a lesson from such a deed.
She also did something which only love can do. She took the most precious thing she had and spent it all on Jesus. Her love was not calculated but extravagant. In a spirit of humility and heart-felt repentance, she lavishly served the one who showed her the mercy and kindness of God. Jesus, in his customary fashion, never lost the opportunity to draw a lesson from such a deed.
The debt of gratitude for mercy and forgiveness
Why did Jesus put the parable of the two debtors before his learned host, a rabbi and teacher of the people? This parable is similar to the parable of the unforgiving official (see Matthew 18:23-35) in which the man who was forgiven much showed himself merciless and unforgiving. Jesus makes clear that great love springs from a heart forgiven and cleansed. Peter the Apostle tells us that "love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). It was love that motivated the Father in heaven to send his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus, to offer up his life on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. The woman's lavish expression of love was an offering of gratitude for the great forgiveness, kindness, and mercy Jesus had shown to her.
Why did Jesus put the parable of the two debtors before his learned host, a rabbi and teacher of the people? This parable is similar to the parable of the unforgiving official (see Matthew 18:23-35) in which the man who was forgiven much showed himself merciless and unforgiving. Jesus makes clear that great love springs from a heart forgiven and cleansed. Peter the Apostle tells us that "love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). It was love that motivated the Father in heaven to send his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus, to offer up his life on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. The woman's lavish expression of love was an offering of gratitude for the great forgiveness, kindness, and mercy Jesus had shown to her.
The stark contrast of attitudes between Simon and the woman of
ill-repute demonstrates how we can either accept or reject God's mercy and forgiveness.
Simon, who regarded himself as an upright Pharisee, felt no need for love or
mercy. His self-sufficiency kept him from acknowledging his need for God's
grace - his gracious gift of favor, help, and mercy. Are you grateful for
God's mercy and grace?
"Lord Jesus, your grace is sufficient for me. Fill my heart
with love and gratitude for the mercy you have shown to me and give me joy and
freedom to love and serve others with kindness and respect."
 The Healing Power of Love |
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September 18, 2014. Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in
Ordinary Time
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Luke 7:36-50
A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the
Pharisee´s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the
city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing
an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and
began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had
invited him saw this he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he
would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she
is a sinner." Jesus said to him in reply, "Simon, I have something
to say to you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two people
were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days´ wages and the
other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for
both. Which of them will love him more?" Simon said in reply, "The
one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven." He said to him,
"You have judged rightly." Then he turned to the woman and said to
Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not
give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped
them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased
kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with
oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins
have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom
little is forgiven, loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are
forgiven." The others at table said to themselves, "Who is this who
even forgives sins?" But he said to the woman, "Your faith has
saved you; go in peace."
Introductory Prayer: Holy Trinity, I cannot see you, but you are with me. I
cannot touch you, but I am in your hands. I cannot fully comprehend you, but
I love you with all my heart.
Petition: Lord Jesus, help me to be humble and open to interior
growth.
1. Ostensible Openness and Spiritual Pride: Simon the
Pharisee has an apparent openness to the Lord. He invites him to dine. He
observes him. And he engages him in cordial dialogue. Nonetheless, we see
that Simon interiorly judges the Lord, dismisses him as a farce, and
ultimately rejects him. The Pharisaical attitude consists essentially in
trying to force God into our own preconceived notions of how he should
operate. The Pharisees had the correct view of moral precepts (both Simon and
Jesus agree that this woman is a sinner). But they fail in recognizing their
own sins, which are rooted in pride. This pride manifested itself in that
unspoken attitude that God must adjust himself to our way of being and
acting.
2. Redemption: The Pharisee thinks he is sinless and does
not admit that he needs a savior. His prideful attitude of “assessing” the
Lord proceeds from a deeper pride that blinds him to who he really is before
God: a simple creature in need of divine help and grace. Simon wants God to
conform to his preconceptions, and winds up rejecting Christ. This is the
paradigm of pride. It distorts reality and forges its own self-centered world
that Christ cannot penetrate. The woman knows she is a sinner and recognizes
the path to her salvation in the words and example of Jesus. She painfully
realizes who she is and keenly longs for salvation. The words and example of
mercy of Christ resonate deeply in her heart and invite her to repentance.
This is the paradigm of humility. Its strength lies in a knowledge and serene
acceptance of the truth and makes redemption possible.
3. Christ’s Goodness: Our Lord’s loving treatment of both
the woman and Simon displays a remarkable balance of kindness. He carefully
avoids the opposite extremes of condemnation and indifference to others’
sins. The reason Our Lord is able to offer hope and consolation to the
repentant sinner as well as to invite the proud with a gentle call to
repentance is that Christ will die for both. In this we see Christ’s
goodness. He comes to save us all, but we must choose to accept his goodness.
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, help me to realize who I am and
who you are. Teach me gratitude for your goodness and hope in your mercy.
Help me to recognize my pride and strive to overcome it so that you can fill
my life with your goodness.
Resolution: I will avoid judging others today.
Father Robert Presutti
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, LUKE 7:36-50
(1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Psalm 118
(1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Psalm 118
KEY VERSE: "Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love" (v 47).
READING: As Jesus reclined at table in the home of a Pharisee (Simon the Leper in Mk 14:3-9), a woman entered the room and anointed him with oil. She was weeping in gratitude for the forgiveness she had received. The Pharisee was critical of Jesus for allowing this woman, a known sinner, to touch him. Jesus told his host a story of a money lender who forgave the debts of two people. The one who was most in debt was more grateful to his creditor than the one who owed less. Jesus reminded his self-righteous host that he had not provided the normal courtesies due a guest: giving a kiss of peace and bathing his feet. By contrast, the woman graciously kissed Jesus' feet and poured out her love by anointing him. Because her many sins had been pardoned, she was able to be generous in return. Her act was symbolic of Jesus' role as God's "anointed one" (Greek, Christos, Hebrew, Mashiach). Her action can also be viewed as preparation for Jesus' death and burial.
REFLECTING: What acts of kindness is the Lord asking me to do today?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to be grateful for the mercy you have shown to me.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is
good
Mercy and tenderness are key themes of Pope Francis.Today’s gospel story places Jesus’ mercy and tenderness at centre stage. The scene challenges us to consider who we are most like, most often. Are we like Jesus—full of compassion and forgiveness? Are we like Simon—full of arrogance? Are we like the woman—in desperate need of love and acceptance? The truth is we are like all three. We come to Jesus in need of forgiveness. Are we too ashamed? Too full of our own pride? The voice of Simon inside us can hold us back. We can be the voice of Simon for others, preventing them from experiencing the healing they need. In the end, we all need to encounter Jesus, and, in that encounter, become Christ for others.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Works of Peace
Lord, help me to spread your fragrance wherever I go. Let me
preach you without preaching, not by words but by my example, by the catching
force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love
my heart bears for you. –Cardinal Newman
September
18
St. Joseph of Cupertino
(1603-1663)
St. Joseph of Cupertino
(1603-1663)
Joseph is most famous for levitating at prayer.
Already
as a child, Joseph showed a fondness for prayer. After a short career with the
Capuchins, he joined the Conventuals. Following a brief assignment caring for
the friary mule, Joseph began his studies for the priesthood. Though studies
were very difficult for him, Joseph gained a great deal of knowledge from
prayer. He was ordained in 1628.
Joseph’s
tendency to levitate during prayer was sometimes a cross; some people came to
see this much as they might have gone to a circus sideshow. Joseph’s gift led
him to be humble, patient and obedient, even though at times he was greatly
tempted and felt forsaken by God. He fasted and wore iron chains for much of
his life.
The
friars transferred Joseph several times for his own good and for the good of
the rest of the community. He was reported to and investigated by the
Inquisition; the examiners exonerated him.
Joseph
was canonized in 1767. In the investigation preceding the canonization, 70
incidents of levitation are recorded.
Comment:
While levitation is an extraordinary sign of holiness, Joseph is also remembered for the ordinary signs he showed. He prayed even in times of inner darkness, and he lived out the Sermon on the Mount. He used his "unique possession" (his free will) to praise God and to serve God’s creation.
While levitation is an extraordinary sign of holiness, Joseph is also remembered for the ordinary signs he showed. He prayed even in times of inner darkness, and he lived out the Sermon on the Mount. He used his "unique possession" (his free will) to praise God and to serve God’s creation.
Quote:
"Clearly, what God wants above all is our will which we received as a free gift from God in creation and possess as though our own. When a man trains himself to acts of virtue, it is with the help of grace from God from whom all good things come that he does this. The will is what man has as his unique possession" (St. Joseph of Cupertino, from the reading for his feast in the Franciscan breviary).
"Clearly, what God wants above all is our will which we received as a free gift from God in creation and possess as though our own. When a man trains himself to acts of virtue, it is with the help of grace from God from whom all good things come that he does this. The will is what man has as his unique possession" (St. Joseph of Cupertino, from the reading for his feast in the Franciscan breviary).
Patron Saint of:
Air travelers
Astronauts
Pilots
Air travelers
Astronauts
Pilots
LECTIO DIVINA:
LUKE 7,36-50
Lectio:
Thursday, September 18, 2014 (All day)
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty God,
our creator and guide,
may we serve you with all our hearts
and know your forgiveness in our lives.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
our creator and guide,
may we serve you with all our hearts
and know your forgiveness in our lives.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 7,36-50
One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at
the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, suddenly a woman came in, who
had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and
had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment.
She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is and what sort of person it is who is touching him and what a bad name she has.’
Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ He replied, ‘Say on, Master.’ ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he let them both off. Which of them will love him more?’
Simon answered, ‘The one who was let off more, I suppose.’ Jesus said, ‘You are right.’
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘You see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, many as they are, have been forgiven her, because she has shown such great love. It is someone who is forgiven little who shows little love.’
Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’
Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that even forgives sins?’
But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’
She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is and what sort of person it is who is touching him and what a bad name she has.’
Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ He replied, ‘Say on, Master.’ ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he let them both off. Which of them will love him more?’
Simon answered, ‘The one who was let off more, I suppose.’ Jesus said, ‘You are right.’
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘You see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, many as they are, have been forgiven her, because she has shown such great love. It is someone who is forgiven little who shows little love.’
Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’
Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that even forgives sins?’
But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel presents the episode of the woman with the
perfume who was accepted by Jesus during a feast in house of Simon the
Pharisee. One of the aspects of the novelty of the Good News of Jesus is the
surprising attitude of Jesus toward women. At the time of the New Testament
women lived marginalized. In the Synagogue they could not participate in the
public life and they could not be witnesses. Many women, though, resisted this
exclusion. From the time of Ezra, the marginalization of women had been increasing
on the part of the religious authority (Ezr 9, 1 to 10, 44), and the resistance
of women against their exclusion, also increased, as we can see in the stories
of Judith, Esther, Ruth, Noemi, Suzanne, and the Sulamite and others. This
resistance found echo and acceptance in Jesus. In the episode of the woman with
the perfume there is inconformity which springs up and the resistance of the
women in the life of every day and the acceptance of Jesus.
• Luke 7, 36-38: The situation which breaks out the debate. Three completely different persons meet with one another: Jesus, Simon, the Pharisee, a practicing Jew, and the woman, whom they said that she was a sinner. Jesus is in the house of Simon who has invited him to dinner with him. The woman enters, and she places herself at the feet of Jesus, and begins to cry bathing Jesus’ feet with her tears, and dries them with her loose hair. She kisses his feet and anoints them with perfume. To get the hair loose in public was a gesture of independence. Jesus does not draw back, nor does he send the woman away, rather he accepts her gesture.
• Luke 7, 39-40: The reaction of the Pharisee and the response of Jesus. Jesus was accepting a person, who, according to the custom of the time, could not be accepted, because she was a sinner. The Pharisee, observing everything, criticizes Jesus and condemns the woman: “If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is and what sort of person it is who is touching him and what a bad name she has”. Jesus uses a parable to respond to the provocation of the Pharisee.
• Luke 7, 41-43: The parable of the two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, the other 50. Neither one was able to pay, both of them were forgiven. Which of them will love their master more? Response of the Pharisee: “The one who was let off more, I suppose!” The parable presupposes that both, the Pharisee and the woman, had received some favour from Jesus. In the attitude that both take before Jesus they indicate how much they appreciate the favour received. The Pharisee shows his love, his gratitude, by inviting Jesus to eat with him. The woman shows her love, her gratitude, by her tears, the kisses and the perfume.
• Luke 7, 44-47: The message of Jesus for the Pharisee. After having received the response of the Pharisee, Jesus applies the parable. Even if he was in the house of the Pharisee, invited by him, Jesus does not lose the freedom to speak and to act. He defends the woman against the criticism of the practicing Jew. The message of Jesus for the Pharisees of all times is this one: “The one who is forgiven little, loves little!” A Pharisee thinks that he is not a sinner because he observes the law in everything. The personal assurance that I, a Pharisee, create for myself many times, in the observance of the Law of God and of the Church, prevents me from experiencing the gratuity of the love of God. What is important is not the observance of the law in itself, but the love with which I observe the law. And using the symbols of the love of the woman, Jesus responds to the Pharisee who considered himself to be in peace with God: “you poured no water over my feet; you gave me no kiss, you did not anoint my head with perfumed oil! Simon, in spite of the banquet that you have offered me, you have loved very little!”
• Luke 7, 48-50: The word of Jesus to the woman. Jesus declares that the woman is forgiven and then adds: “Your faith has saved you, go in peace!” Here we have the novelty of the attitude of Jesus. He does not condemn but he accepts. It is faith which helps the woman to encounter herself and to encounter God. In the relationship with Jesus, a new force springs up in her and makes her be born again.
• Luke 7, 36-38: The situation which breaks out the debate. Three completely different persons meet with one another: Jesus, Simon, the Pharisee, a practicing Jew, and the woman, whom they said that she was a sinner. Jesus is in the house of Simon who has invited him to dinner with him. The woman enters, and she places herself at the feet of Jesus, and begins to cry bathing Jesus’ feet with her tears, and dries them with her loose hair. She kisses his feet and anoints them with perfume. To get the hair loose in public was a gesture of independence. Jesus does not draw back, nor does he send the woman away, rather he accepts her gesture.
• Luke 7, 39-40: The reaction of the Pharisee and the response of Jesus. Jesus was accepting a person, who, according to the custom of the time, could not be accepted, because she was a sinner. The Pharisee, observing everything, criticizes Jesus and condemns the woman: “If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is and what sort of person it is who is touching him and what a bad name she has”. Jesus uses a parable to respond to the provocation of the Pharisee.
• Luke 7, 41-43: The parable of the two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, the other 50. Neither one was able to pay, both of them were forgiven. Which of them will love their master more? Response of the Pharisee: “The one who was let off more, I suppose!” The parable presupposes that both, the Pharisee and the woman, had received some favour from Jesus. In the attitude that both take before Jesus they indicate how much they appreciate the favour received. The Pharisee shows his love, his gratitude, by inviting Jesus to eat with him. The woman shows her love, her gratitude, by her tears, the kisses and the perfume.
• Luke 7, 44-47: The message of Jesus for the Pharisee. After having received the response of the Pharisee, Jesus applies the parable. Even if he was in the house of the Pharisee, invited by him, Jesus does not lose the freedom to speak and to act. He defends the woman against the criticism of the practicing Jew. The message of Jesus for the Pharisees of all times is this one: “The one who is forgiven little, loves little!” A Pharisee thinks that he is not a sinner because he observes the law in everything. The personal assurance that I, a Pharisee, create for myself many times, in the observance of the Law of God and of the Church, prevents me from experiencing the gratuity of the love of God. What is important is not the observance of the law in itself, but the love with which I observe the law. And using the symbols of the love of the woman, Jesus responds to the Pharisee who considered himself to be in peace with God: “you poured no water over my feet; you gave me no kiss, you did not anoint my head with perfumed oil! Simon, in spite of the banquet that you have offered me, you have loved very little!”
• Luke 7, 48-50: The word of Jesus to the woman. Jesus declares that the woman is forgiven and then adds: “Your faith has saved you, go in peace!” Here we have the novelty of the attitude of Jesus. He does not condemn but he accepts. It is faith which helps the woman to encounter herself and to encounter God. In the relationship with Jesus, a new force springs up in her and makes her be born again.
4) Personal questions
• Where, when and how are women despised or rejected by the
Pharisee of today?
• The woman certainly would not have done what she did if she was not absolutely certain that Jesus would accept her. Do the marginalized and migrant persons have the same certainty today?
• The woman certainly would not have done what she did if she was not absolutely certain that Jesus would accept her. Do the marginalized and migrant persons have the same certainty today?
5) Concluding Prayer
For Yahweh is good,
his faithful love is everlasting,
his constancy from age to age. (Ps 100,5)
his faithful love is everlasting,
his constancy from age to age. (Ps 100,5)
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