MY daily reflection and prayer:
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to Luke 7:36-50
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and took his place at table. 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, 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. 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.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “What is it, Teacher?” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 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. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
FROM the Gospel today we learn that an unbounding gratitude fuels the love that surpasses all other loves. Jesus Christ says to Simon, the Pharisees who invited him to eat in his house, about a woman who is a sinner, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
The Gospel tells us about a woman with a bad reputation who approaches Jesus and anoints him with her tears and costly perfume at the risk of ridicule and abuse by others. Her action is motivated by one thing only, namely, her love for Jesus. St. Peter the Apostle tells us that “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Surely, her love greatly out of gratitude for the kindness and forgiveness she has received from Jesus. She loosens her hair and anoints Jesus with her tears. She loves Jesus more by giving all the best she has. She takes the most precious thing she has and spend it all on Jesus. Her love is not calculated but extravagant.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we come to Jesus Christ and worship him lovingly. Like the woman who is sinner, in a spirit of humility and heart-felt repentance, we lavishly love and worship Jesus Christ who shows us the mercy and kindness of God.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your mercy and kindness. You make clear that great love springs from a heart forgiven and cleansed. May we love you more like the woman’s lavish expression of love that is an offering of gratitude for the great forgiveness, kindness, and mercy you had shown to us now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
