MY daily reflection and prayer:
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. 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.
***
IN today’s Gospel, Jesus Christ shows his merciful heart to the sinner, a woman with a bad reputation who approaches him. Yeah, she does not only approach him but also lovingly adores him by wetting his feet with her tears, and wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing his feet, then anointing his feet with her costly perfume. She takes at the risk of ridicule and abuse by others.
But Jesus Christ praises all she has done to him. Even he defends her against Simon, the Pharisee who invited Jesus to eat with him. Jesus says 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 Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
What can we contemplate on it? First, Jesus wants to teach us about love, mercy and forgiveness. With his loving merciful heart, he forgives us, the sinners. He offers us a whole new way of being and it is grounded in his forgiveness, the freedom to be fully alive. Forgiveness is the freedom that enables us to transcend ourselves in true love.
Second, Jesus always offers his mercy and forgiveness for us. It is the chance to make a better choice, to do differently and to no longer be bound by the past. In some way that’s what all the signs, miracles, and teachings of Jesus are about. It is about the sacrament of reconciliation.
Third, the woman’s action is motivated by one thing only, namely, her love for Jesus. She loves him greatly out of gratitude for the kindness and forgiveness she has received from Jesus. She knows that love gives all the best she has. She only has her tears, her hair, her sinful lips and her parfume for Jesus.
Fourth, let we learn from the woman by not allowing our life to be determined by the judgments of others. We love without reserve. We live without pretense. We are willing to change and grow. Whenever we are like the woman our life has softened and opened so that Jesus will grant his mercy and forgiveness. Then we are free to go in peace.
In the (Perpetual Adoration of the) Eucharist we adore Jesus Christ who offers his loving merciful heart and forgiveness. There we learn from the sinner woman to love Jesus Christ with all the best we have.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. We love you so we give you all the best we have. We want also to orient our life to see, think, and act like you. We are vulnerable Lord. Help us to love you and others now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
