June 17, 2007 Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

  2007년 6월 17일 연중 제11주일

 

제1독서  

사무엘기 하 12,7ㄱㄷ-10.13
그 무렵 7 나탄이 다윗에게 말하였다. “주 이스라엘의 하느님께서 이렇게 말씀하십니다. ‘나는 너에게 기름을 부어 이스라엘의 임금으로 세우고, 너를 사울의 손에서 구해 주었다. 8 나는 너에게 네 주군의 집안을, 또 네 품에 주군의 아내들을 안겨 주고, 이스라엘과 유다의 집안을 주었다. 그래도 적다면 이것저것 너에게 더 보태 주었을 것이다.
9 그런데 어찌하여 너는 주님의 말씀을 무시하고, 주님이 보기에 악한 짓을 저질렀느냐? 너는 히타이트 사람 우리야를 칼로 쳐 죽이고 그의 아내를 네 아내로 삼았다. 너는 그를 암몬 자손들의 칼로 죽였다. 10 그러므로 이제 네 집안에서는 칼부림이 영원히 그치지 않을 것이다. 네가 나를 무시하고, 히타이트 사람 우리야의 아내를 데려다가 네 아내로 삼았기 때문이다.’”
13 그때 다윗이 나탄에게 “내가 주님께 죄를 지었소.” 하고 고백하였다. 그러자 나탄이 다윗에게 말하였다. “주님께서 임금님의 죄를 용서하셨으니 임금님께서 돌아가시지는 않을 것입니다.”

제2독서

갈라티아 2,16.19-21
형제 여러분, 16 사람은 율법에 따른 행위가 아니라 예수 그리스도에 대한 믿음으로 의롭게 된다는 사실을 우리는 알고 있습니다. 그래서 우리는 율법에 따른 행위가 아니라 그리스도에 대한 믿음으로 의롭게 되려고 그리스도 예수님을 믿게 되었습니다. 어떠한 인간도 율법에 따른 행위로 의롭게 되지 않기 때문입니다.
19 나는 하느님을 위하여 살려고, 율법과 관련해서는 이미 율법으로 말미암아 죽었습니다. 나는 그리스도와 함께 십자가에 못 박혔습니다. 20 이제는 내가 사는 것이 아니라 그리스도께서 내 안에 사시는 것입니다. 내가 지금 육신 안에서 사는 것은, 나를 사랑하시고 나를 위하여 당신 자신을 바치신 하느님의 아드님에 대한 믿음으로 사는 것입니다. 21 나는 하느님의 은총을 헛되게 하지 않습니다. 그런데 율법을 통하여 의로움이 온다면 그리스도께서 헛되이 돌아가신 것입니다.

 

 복음

 루카 7,36─8,3<또는 7,36-50>
짧은 독서를 할 때에는 < > 부분을 생략한다.
그때에 36 바리사이 가운데 어떤 이가 자기와 함께 음식을 먹자고 예수님을 초청하였다. 그리하여 예수님께서는 그 바리사이의 집에 들어가시어 식탁에 앉으셨다. 37 그 고을에 죄인인 여자가 하나 있었는데, 예수님께서 바리사이의 집에서 음식을 잡수시고 계시다는 것을 알고 왔다. 그 여자는 향유가 든 옥합을 들고서 38 예수님 뒤쪽 발치에 서서 울며, 눈물로 그분의 발을 적시기 시작하더니 자기의 머리카락으로 닦고 나서, 그 발에 입을 맞추고 향유를 부어 발랐다.
39 예수님을 초대한 바리사이가 그것을 보고, ‘저 사람이 예언자라면, 자기에게 손을 대는 여자가 누구이며 어떤 사람인지, 곧 죄인인 줄 알 터인데.’ 하고 속으로 말하였다.
40 그때에 예수님께서 말씀하셨다. “시몬아, 너에게 할 말이 있다.”
시몬이 “스승님, 말씀하십시오.” 하였다.
41 “어떤 채권자에게 채무자가 둘 있었다. 한 사람은 오백 데나리온을 빚지고 다른 사람은 오십 데나리온을 빚졌다. 42 둘 다 갚을 길이 없으므로 채권자는 그들에게 빚을 탕감해 주었다. 그러면 그들 가운데 누가 그 채권자를 더 사랑하겠느냐?”
43 시몬이 “더 많이 탕감받은 사람이라고 생각합니다.” 하고 대답하자, 예수님께서 “옳게 판단하였다.” 하고 말씀하셨다.
44 그리고 그 여자를 돌아보시며 시몬에게 이르셨다. “이 여자를 보아라. 내가 네 집에 들어왔을 때 너는 나에게 발 씻을 물도 주지 않았다. 그러나 이 여자는 눈물로 내 발을 적시고 자기의 머리카락으로 닦아 주었다. 45 너는 나에게 입을 맞추지 않았지만, 이 여자는 내가 들어왔을 때부터 줄곧 내 발에 입을 맞추었다. 46 너는 내 머리에 기름을 부어 발라 주지 않았다. 그러나 이 여자는 내 발에 향유를 부어 발라 주었다. 47 그러므로 내가 너에게 말한다. 이 여자는 그 많은 죄를 용서받았다. 그래서 큰 사랑을 드러낸 것이다. 그러나 적게 용서받은 사람은 적게 사랑한다.”
48 그러고 나서 예수님께서는 그 여자에게 말씀하셨다. “너는 죄를 용서받았다.” 49 그러자 식탁에 함께 앉아 있던 이들이 속으로, ‘저 사람이 누구이기에 죄까지 용서해 주는가?’ 하고 말하였다.
50 그러나 예수님께서는 그 여자에게 이르셨다. “네 믿음이 너를 구원하였다. 평안히 가거라.”
<8,1 그 뒤에 예수님께서는 고을과 마을을 두루 다니시며, 하느님의 나라를 선포하시고 그 복음을 전하셨다. 열두 제자도 그분과 함께 다녔다. 2 악령과 병에 시달리다 낫게 된 몇몇 여자도 그들과 함께 있었는데, 일곱 마귀가 떨어져 나간 막달레나라고 하는 마리아, 3 헤로데의 집사 쿠자스의 아내 요안나, 수산나였다. 그리고 다른 여자들도 많이 있었다. 그들은 자기들의 재산으로 예수님의 일행에게 시중을 들었다.>

 

 

 

 June 17, 2007

 Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Reading 1
2 Sm 12:7-10, 13

Nathan said to David:
“Thus says the LORD God of Israel:
‘I anointed you king of Israel.
I rescued you from the hand of Saul.
I gave you your lord’s house and your lord’s wives for your own.
I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah.
And if this were not enough, I could count up for you still more.
Why have you spurned the Lord and done evil in his sight?
You have cut down Uriah the Hittite with the sword;
you took his wife as your own,
and him you killed with the sword of the Ammonites.
Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house,
because you have despised me
and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.’
Then David said to Nathan,
“I have sinned against the LORD.”
Nathan answered David:
“The LORD on his part has forgiven your sin:
you shall not die.”

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 32:1-2, 5, 7, 11

R. (cf. 5c) Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Blessed is the one whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

Reading II
Gal 2:16, 19-21

Brothers and sisters:
We who know that a person is not justified by works of the law
but through faith in Jesus Christ,
even we have believed in Christ Jesus
that we may be justified by faith in Christ
and not by works of the law,
because by works of the law no one will be justified.
For through the law I died to the law,
that I might live for God.
I have been crucified with Christ;
yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me;
insofar as I now live in the flesh,
I live by faith in the Son of God
who has loved me and given himself up for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God;
for if justification comes through the law,
then Christ died for nothing.

Gospel
Lk 7:36?8:3 or 7:36-50

A 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
because 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.”

Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another,
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others who provided for them
out of their resources.

or

A 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 day’s 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
because 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.”

 

 

 Commentary

 

 Nathan attacks David with the truth of his sin despite all the goodness God has done for him. He has murdered to marry another man's wife. David has despised God. David acknowledges his sin, is forgiven and will not die. We all have sinned and despised God, on our own, in collusion with others, our government and others, but do we acknowledge our sin? In baptism we heard these words: "I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me." Have we made that precious gift pointless, like David and so many others? Or, as in the gospel, do we follow in gratitude like the women who seek to care for Jesus as he has cared for them?

This is the story of a Pharisee who invites Jesus to dinner. A woman comes and anoints Jesus' feet, weeping and drying them with her hair. She scandalizes the host who has not treated Jesus with respect. He disdains the woman and Jesus, so Jesus tells him a parable about forgiveness of debts/sins. Who loves him more-the one who is forgiven little, or the one who is forgiven much? She is forgiven much because of her love and yet the Pharisee doesn't even know that he is in even greater need than she is-because of his lack of hospitality, his disdain and lack of respect for either of them, his judgment and self-righteousness. And what of us-how much do we need to be forgiven?

 

 

 PRE-PRAYERING

There are various forms of conversations which we have in our ordinary days. We can have “adult”, “business”, “romantic”, “casual”, or “argumentative” interactions all within one day.

We can have the same kinds of conversations with life and with God as well. The Eucharistic liturgy is a form of conversing in which Jesus continues a divine and never-ending relational interchange with us, but we come to the liturgy in various modes of communication. We can prepare for each liturgy by our being attentive to the ways we have been conversing with others, with God, and with ourselves between liturgies. We can check how we have been listening and speaking in these important areas of our lives. Arguing, pouting, romanticizing and shutting down are all forms of our not desiring or entering into real relating. We prepare for our attending to Jesus’ being the Word of Life, by our being attentive to the way we converse with life.

REFLECTION

King David had sexual intercourse with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba and she became pregnant. To cover up his sin, he had Bethsheba sent to lie with her husband who was fighting for Israel. He refused to have intimacy with her as long as he was with his troops. So David had Uriah hung out to dry by having him in the front lines and then having the rest of the troops fall back leaving Uriah to be killed.

This sounds like quite a modern script. What we hear in the First Reading for this liturgy is the narrative of Nathan’s word to David from God. Nathan relates all that God has done for David and given to him, yet this was not enough. God says that David in lust and even more in greed took what was not his, what was not given him by God. David took Uriah’s wife and Uriah’s life. It is all very clear.

David replies humbly and simply that he indeed has sinned.

In response to this admission Nathan has one more thing to say from God. “The Lord has forgiven your sin, you shall not die.” It is all very clear, but not quite. What about justice! What David did was terrible!

The Gospel has two distinct parts. The first is set in a dinner party. Simon, righteous as God, invites Jesus, but to be roasted rather than toasted. Simon the Pharisee does not extend the usual mannerly welcome to Jesus. Jesus in turn does His usual welcome to a woman of “her kind”.

For a woman, whom it is assumed, is a public sinner enters the scene and wordlessly welcomes Jesus with signs of tender and gentle care. They are attracted to each other: she for His reputation of kindness, and He for her reputation of injured violation.

Simon is not attracted to either and murmurs to himself. Jesus offers Simon a little story to demonstrate what exactly is going on here. Then Jesus sends her away, not banishing or dismissing, but returning her to her dignity by being forgiven for who ever she had been in the past. He sends her back to living without regret or shame. Of course the others at the table want to shout out about “justice!” but they murmur and question, which is in fact an affirmation about who this is who forgives sin.

The second section of today’s Gospel is about a group of women who follow Jesus and who take good care of Him and the apostles. These women, as with the woman of the first section of this narrative, were cured of body and spirit. These two different sections are about Jesus and women.

I am going way out on a limb with what I offer now. Here at our University it is well documented that more women students attend retreats, receive spiritual direction, and join groups who say the rosary and adoration groups as well as assist at the Eucharist. This is not unique to our campus. I have just started climbing out on the slippery limb.

I am a male who is envious of many aspects of the female gender. Women have a deep longing for belonging. Relating, sharing, receiving, cherishing, and holding sacred, which all seem to them as natural as breathing. Yes, injuries can disturb these sensitivities, but women seem to know the importance for living of these awarenesses.

Men hold sacred other awarenesses, that is very true and they are good ones as well. I do not have to explain them: not to women who know them well, nor to men who display them when they eventually learn them. Men want to fix, be important for what they do, and get on to the next “town and village” as did Jesus after leaving Simon and his dinner guests still murmuring.

Jesus seems more attractive to women than to men, because they seem to receive His ways of dealing with human frailty better than we men. We like to do our own fixing up of ourselves, thank you and then have Jesus approve the project. Women journey in today’s Gospel. Women journey more deeply and long for the depth of the relationship, even with mystery. Women seem to deal more gracefully with mystery, the unknown. Men tend to put their nickel down when we see the completion, the outcome. Yes, it is true that men like to gamble more than women. Men have a sense that they have figured it out, whether it be the stock market or the basketball game or horse racing.

Simon and his male guests have Jesus figured out and so does this woman who is available for the mystery of her being forgiven and released for deeper living. I am way out in the leaves of the limb now. Perhaps these readings today are about Jesus’ dealing with women, and how receptive they are to His relating with them, not just healing, but inviting them to life. Jesus is also dealing with us men, inviting us to let go of murmuring, fixing, and our projects. We tend to demand “justice” rather than receive mercy, in regard to ourselves as well as others. We all are the woman and the Pharisee and Jesus doesn’t shout anything at us, but sends us out to live more deeply.

“One thing I seek; to dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life.” Ps. 27, 4

 

 by
Larry Gillick, S.J.
Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality

 

 

 "Which of them will love him more?"

What fuels extravagant love? Unbounding gratitude for sure!  No one who met Jesus could do so with indifference.  They were either attracted to him or repeled by him.  Why did a rabbi invite him 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 "bad woman" -- 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.

Why did Mary approach Jesus and anoint him at the risk of ridicule and abuse by others?  Mary's action was motivated by one thing, and one thing only, namely, her love for Jesus and her gratitude for forgiveness.  She did something, however, a Jewish woman would never do in public.  She loosed her hair and anointed Jesus with her tears. It was customary for a woman on her wedding day to bound her hair. For a married woman to loosen her hair in public was a sign of grave immodesty.  Mary was oblivious to all around her, except for Jesus.  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 an incident.

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.  "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8), "for love is of God" (1 John 4:7). The woman's lavish ｅxpression of love was proof that she had found favor with God.  The stark contrast of attitudes between Simon and the woman of ill-repute, demonstrate how we can either accept or reject God's mercy.  Simon, who regarded himself as an upright Pharisee, felt no need for love or mercy. His self-sufficiency kept him for acknowledging his need for God's grace.  Are you grateful for God's mercy and grace?

"Lord, your grace is sufficient for me.  Fill my heart with love and gratitude for the mercy you have shown to me and give me freedom and joy to love and serve others as you have taught."

Psalm 32:1-2,5,7,11

1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity;  I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD";  then you forgave the guilt of my sin.
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

 

 

 There is no unforgivable sin ? provided that we have contrition.    Yes, once Jesus spoke of the “sin against the Holy Spirit” as being unforgivable.   Presumably, however, this was because of the lack of contrition.   Today’s readings give us lessons on sin and forgiveness.
The first reading is the conclusion of the story of David and Bathsheba.   David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of a pagan soldier in his army.   He tried to cover up his sin by inviting Uriah home and telling him to go to his wife.   Uriah did not.   Finally, in desperation, David had Uriah put in the front lines, and had the army withdraw from him so that Uriah would be killed.   David then married Bathsheba, thinking to cover up the sin of adultery and murder.   But today’s reading tells us of Nathan the prophet confronting David with his sins.    David expresses contrition and is forgiven.
The gospel story tells of a woman of the street who washes Jesus’ feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, and perfumes them with oil.   Jesus’ host, Simon the Pharisee, had not even provided the ordinary amenities for Jesus.   Jesus contrasts this with the sorrow of the prostitute, and says that her sins are forgiven because of her love.  
Often, when we sin, we try to run and hide.   We want to cover it up.   We want to forget it because of our shame.   Or we try to deny our sin.   Or we quit Church.   We do everything except the one thing which will help: Contrition and Confession.    Let us realize the mercy of God who forgives all sin ? provided we want to be forgiven.
“Justification” means “being made upright in the eyes of God.”   The second reading tells us that our justification does not come from any good work of ours, but through the grace of Jesus Christ.   He is our redeemer and savior; we must put our trust in him.   Through our baptism, we have died with Christ to sin, and we now live his life while still living our own life here on earth.   Let us always be conscious of Christ’s life within us so that we shall not return to sin.

 

 

 Homily from Father James Gilhooley

"There are two types of people in the world. The first are those who bounce into a room and shout, 'Rejoice, I am here.' The second are those who come into the same room and exclaim, 'Ah, there you are." So has a pundit written correctly about us. Simon the Pharisee is the former. The woman sinner is the latter.
Clearly Luke was not a male chauvinist. No one speaks more favorably or more often than he about women with the exception of his Master. His work is properly called the Gospel of Women.
But it is equally correct to call it the Gospel of Forgiveness. None of the Evangelists speaks as frequently as Luke about the forgiving spirit that motivates the Nazarene. There is no virtue that Jesus recommended that Plato and Cicero had not run up the flagpole before Him. But what makes the Christ an original is His power to forgive sins.
The story is told with such bold strokes that it supports the tradition that Luke was an artist. It is said he painted a portrait of Mary. Imagine what a price such a picture would command in the auction houses of London and New York City.
There is mystery about the tale. His is the only Gospel to tell the account. He does not tell us the time or place of the incident. That is unusual. And who was the Simon the Pharisee? We have no clue. Simon was a common name. It is mentioned eight times n the New Testament. Why was Luke so stingy on the facts? He wouldn't get a job on the History Channel.
Though prostitute, the woman is clearly the hero of the story. Unlike Simon, she is not named. What is likely is that Luke wants to deliberately protect her identity from any possible detractors. Again is evidenced his concern for women.
Simon from his manners or, better, the absence of them did not invite Jesus out of a spirit of hospitality and bonhomie. He just wanted to check Him out. He probably had heard much about this wonderworker. Notice in verse 40 he, tongue in cheek, addresses his guest as "Rabbi." He was patronizing. Luke infers that though he could buy and sell most of us, he was in spirit a very small guy. He was hardly a "mi casa tu casa" host.
Christ was aware of the contempt in which Simon held Him. He had not given Him the traditional welcome kiss on the cheek. He had not offered Him any water to wash the heavy dust of the roads off His sandal-covered feet. He had not poured perfumed olive oil on His Perspiration covered head. As He sat down to supper, Christ must have felt physically uncomfortable and unclean. But He kept His silence. There would be time enough for a tete-a-tete with Simon before the night's meal became history. Christ would have the last word.
To take advantage of breezes, the meal would be held in a courtyard. It was the air-conditioning machine of the day.
Traditionally the poor were allowed to come in and gape at their betters. They would keep their mouths firmly shut. This was their peculiar idea of a night out.
Luke pointedly tells us the prostitute stood behind Jesus. Had she walked out of the house into the courtyard? She seems to know her way about the mansion. Also Simon knows what she does for a living. Is Luke telling us he has used her services? If so, Simon is not merely a coarse prig but also a hypocrite.
She speaks no words to the Teacher. Nor does she presume to touch His head though it needs anointing. Rather, she washes His dirty feet with her tears and perfume and then dries them with her long hair. It was the gravest of offenses for a Jewish woman to appear publicly with her hair loose. But for the Christ it was all systems go. The sky was the limit. For her beau geste, Jesus forgives her sins. He compliments her. He knows "compliments fall lightly, but they carry great weight."
Jesus works Simon over with His sharp tongue. He must have caused him serious indigestion. Simon quickly realized that whatever this Rabbi might b e, He was no nerd. He had misjudged the Man. He would never go mano a mano with Him again.
The Pharisee is a moral midget. The woman a moral giant.
It is said if want to be like the woman, adopt Luke's ten point program. Pray Big. Think Big. Believe Big. Act Big. Dream Big. Work Big. Give Big. Forgive Big. Love Big. Laugh Big.

 

 

Homily from Father Joseph Pellegrino
http://www.st.ignatius.net/pastor.html

 A Word or Two about Our Women and for Our Women

Today’s Gospel reading speaks about the presence and importance of women in the Church. The woman who anoints Jesus’ feet is no longer a sinner but a close follower of the Lord. The Gospel notes that along with the Twelve, there were several women who accompanied Jesus including Mary called the Magdalene, Johanna, the wife of Herod’s steward, and a certain Susanna. The Acts of the Apostles relates that two women from Corinth, Priscilla and Aquila, met up with the great scholar Apollos and taught him about Christ. We are all quite aware of the impact of women in our Church, particularly Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta, as well as St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, St. Catherine and so many more women of God. We are all also aware that most of the ministries of our parish as well as most of the parishes in the United States are led by devoted, fervent women.  But many of our woman are not treating properly. Many of our women are not given the respect that is the natural right of all women.

Many women suffer from abuse. Every day we read in the paper about wives and girlfriends of celebrities and sports figures being assaulted. This is just a small segment of society. Abuse against women is rampant in our society. It has to stop. We all know that it is the sign of a coward for a man to use his physical strength to hurt a woman, but there are many, many cowards among us. I will never forget a time that I was summoned for jury duty. The case considered a man who was charged with hitting his former wife. During the jury selection process, one of the attorneys asked the women in the jury pool to stand up if they had been abused. About a two-thirds of the women present stood. How sad. . There is no place for physical abuse in our society, or in our Church. No woman has an obligation to put up with physical abuse.

Many women have been scarred throughout their lives by sexual abuse. The number of girls who have kept secret the actions of a relative or close family friend is mortifying. As a priest I have experience young newly weds who cannot be intimate due to the lingering scars of abuse. And then there is the secret, hidden abuse against women which, basically, has generated the most funds of any business on the internet. That is the abuse of pornography. All men know that sexual abuse is wrong, and yet, so many men participate in this abuse by paying the abusers, the pornographers.

We are all well aware of the wonderful efforts of our society to find a cure for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, etc. However, if society is really serious about seeking cures for these and other female ailments, then it should consider allocating a tenth of the money spent on eye makeup for research to find cures.

A large number of our women, our young girls, enter a marriage as virgins. And yes, there are many serious committed young ladies among us who treasure their virginity. And there are also many serious, committed young men among us who likewise treasure their virginity. But, back to the women. Sadly, some of these girls become the victims of venereal disease, as a wedding gift from their new spouse. The concept that an unmarried man can "play around" with others before marriage is an insult and a physical attack on women in general and on the particular woman with whom he eventually seeks to make a life. Is there anyone out there telling young men that not only is it wrong for them to have sex outside of marriage, not only is it wrong for them to expose themselves to various sexual ailments, it is doubly wrong if they plan on sharing their sickness with others?

A final word about a sad situation that many of our young ladies suffer from: the trauma of miscarriage. We need to care for our women suffering miscarriages. As a man, I will never know what it is like to feel a child growing inside of me. I will never know what it is like to experience the transformation of my body to nurture a baby. So, how then can I possibly know what it is like to lose the baby? only those who have had miscarriages can understand what the mother is going through. Therefore, it is so terribly wrong for me or for anyone to say to the mother something such as, "Well, the baby may not have lived long after birth," or "You're young, you'll have another baby," or "It was God's will." God does not will that evil happen in the world. Bad things result from a world that has chosen the death of materialism over the Lord of Life. The innocent suffer. Yes, maybe the girl will have another baby. But another baby will never replace this baby. A member of a family has died. The baby is unique and can never be replaced.

What can we say? What can I, as your pastor, do? What we can and must say to a family who has lost a child through miscarriage is the same as what we say if a family loses a child in an accident: "I grieve with you for your loss. I pray that God will give you peace. Your child will always be a member of your family, now at peace with God. Let your other children know that they have a brother or sister with the Lord, watching over them." When we hear of someone losing a baby, so many of us are all guilty of making believe that nothing happened. We act as though the pain of the loss has left with the baby. That is not a Christian way of acting. We need to support and care for our women suffering this trauma.

This Sunday I have written in the bulletin and on the web page about things which I would not present in a homily out of deference for the little children in the congregation. I feel a deep responsibility to call people to respect the women among us. Isn’t that what Jesus demanded from Simon the Pharisee?

 

 Homily from Father Phil Bloom
http://www.geocities.com/seapadre_1999/

Rejoice, You Just
(June 17, 2007)
Bottom line: Like David's act of adultery and murder, our sins bring the judgment of God; but if we accept the key Jesus gives us, we (like David) can be included among the just.

Some of you remember Bishop Sheen's television program: Life is Worth Living. He often began with a humorous story. once Bishop Sheen told about a priest who went to hear confessions in mining community. He arrived at the mine where the men were working and the miners lined up for confession. The first one went in and told the priest how long it had been since his last confession. Then he said, "I can't think of any sins, Father. I haven't murdered anybody." The priest said to him, "Look. Get out of here and make a good examination of conscience." So the man stepped out. He turned to the others who were lined up, "It's no good, boys," he said, "he's only hearing murder cases."

Well, today's first reading is about a murder case. King David had committed adultery with a woman named Bathsheba, then had her husband killed so he could marry her. David thought he had gotten away with murder. He would soon learn differently. Nathan - who was the court prophet - confronted David: You might be able to escape the judgment of men, but you cannot escape the judgment of God. David had to face the consequences of his sins and the punishment was terrible. But that is not the main point. All of us have to live with the consequences of our wrongdoing. Still, David received a further word. Nathan said to him: "The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin; you shall not die." What amazing and wonderful words!

Today's Psalm - which is attributed to King David - expresses the joy of being forgiven: "Blessed is the one who fault is taken away, whose sin is covered...Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just."

You and I are included among the "just." Not because we are perfect, not because we have never sinned. Far from it. We are counted among the just because of what Jesus has done for us. In his person Jesus embodies God's forgiveness. Today we hear about a woman who bathed Jesus' feet with tears of remorse. This upset the others. They saw her perhaps as a home wrecker and a corrupter of youth. Jesus did not downplay her sins, "her many sins," he said.* But he did forgive her.

What does it mean that Jesus forgives sins? I read a helpful comparison in a book titled "Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To." one of the prayers is, "God, forgive me." The author, Anthony DeStefano gives this comparison: God's forgiveness, he says, is like a man who loses or breaks a key and has to call a locksmith to make a new one. I once used my car key to pry loose a cassette and broke it. I was stuck, miles from the parish. Finally a locksmith came and I watched as he made a new key. He handed it to me, I put it in the ignition and - it seemed like magic - the car started.

In this comparison, the locksmith does all the work. You and I simply turn the key and we are back on the road. So it is with God's forgiveness. Jesus has already done everything for us. He was born among us, lived and then died on the cross. He hands us the key so we can make a new beginning, a fresh start. For that reason, Jesus says to the repentant woman, "Your sins are forgiven." He wants to say the same words to us. When we say the simple prayer, "God, forgive me," He always says "yes." Although we are far from being just, Jesus makes us right. He justifies us. Naturally, forgiveness implies a whole process of contrition, amendment and sacramental absolution.** But like King David, like the penitent woman, we can know the incomparable joy of God's forgiveness:

"Blessed is the one who fault is taken away, whose sin is covered...Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just."

**********

*In our culture, we readily get the idea that Jesus simply brushed aside her sins: "It's no big deal. Why are you guys so uptight?" Or that he absolved her of blame: "It was not her fault. An abusive home, an unjust economic system, etc., etc., caused her to take the wrong path." There may be some truth in that, but it misses the point. Jesus knew the full horror of human evil, but he forgave sin by taking the penalty on himself. See Forgive or Excuse?.

**Anthony DeStefano gives a good explanation of why forgiveness includes the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But we should know that the moment we ask for forgiveness, God does grant it. People sometimes make a mistake. They fall into some sin and then realize that they won't be able to go to confession until Saturday. So they say, "Well, I already committed one grave sin. I may as well commit others." This is a mistake for two reasons. First of all, every sin has a negative consequence. But more to the point, we need to take seriously the words of the Act of Contrition: "I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, do penance and amend my life." When we say that prayer sincerely, God does forgive our sins - in light of the resolution to make a good confession. My own advice is this: When you realize you have committed a serious sin, immediately ask God for forgiveness and make an act of contrition. Plan on receiving the Sacrament of Penance as soon as is reasonably possible. Even though reception of Communion requires confessions, you can still be assured that God's forgiveness is immediate - understanding always that the repentant person will complete the necessary process of confession, amendment and sacramental absolution.

 

 

 Homily from Father Andrew M. Greeley
http://www.agreeley.com/homilies.html

 

 Background:
It’s a little difficult to put ourselves into the scene of today’s Gospel. Jesus as attending a dinner at the house of a certain Simon who was a Pharisee.  It was obviously a major feast, guests reclining on couches around a group of tables, folks wandering in from the roads to watch what was going on ? a gathering of celebrity watchers. Many wanted to get a quick look at the legendary rabbi from Nazareth. They were shocked to see a woman washing his feet with her tears, drying them with her hair, and bathing his feet with oil. While such things were done sometimes for distinguished celebrities,  they were not done in the houses of rich Pharisees. Why did Jesus put up with such adoration. It is remarkable that the incident was remembered as vividly as it was because Jesus' followers were certainly embarrassed by it as some of them would be even today. Why didn’t he just chase them away.
 
Story:
Once upon a time a certain well known priest was seen coming out of a disorderly house in his parish. A photographer got a picture of him. A newspaper printed it. A group of Catholic laity put together a petition to the bishop to remove him as pastor. No priest should be seen emerging from such a place. The priest was summoned downtown. The bishop, the chancellor and the vicar general sat behind the bishop’s desk, staring at him implacably. They didn’t much like him because he was a bit of a trouble maker. They were delighted to have something with which to slap him down.  They didn’t ask him to sit down. You’ve seen this picture, Father. once or twice. What is that building from which you are exiting. It is a house of ill repute, he replied with a smile. What were you doing there? Visiting some of my parishioners. At 11:00 at night? That’s when they called me. And you felt obliged to visit them at that hour? At any hour of night someone in the parish calls, I respond. You were giving spiritual solace to those unfortunate women? No bishop. What were you doing? Administering the last sacraments of the Church. I said the funeral mass for her the next day and went to the graveside. Any objection. There wasn’t any. Well said the youngest of the troika, we must be careful of giving bad example. And Jesus said once that those who have been forgiven much love much. They didn’t say anything at all after that.

 

Homily from Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe,Pa
http://benedictine.stvincent.edu/archabbey/Weeklywords/Weeklywords.html

Gospel Summary

Luke?�™s gospel is notable for its portrayal of Jesus as one who represents the compassion and forgiveness of God. No doubt this sensitivity of Luke for the generous nature of Jesus came from his own experience as a native of the city of Antioch where he noted the extremes of wealth and poverty and where he noted also that the rich tended to be self righteous and judgmental and therefore to assume that the poor were sinful just because they were poor.

In this gospel story, Luke draws a sharp contrast between the smug and self righteous Pharisee who keeps all the rules but does not have the sensitivity to perform the basic acts of kindness toward a guest and the woman who has a reputation for sinfulness but who receives Jesus with loving service. The woman?�™s reputation for sinfulness could be no more than her inability to keep all the prescriptions of the Law due to her poverty. However that may be, there is no doubt that she understands the importance of loving service just as the Pharisee is totally devoid of such sensitivity.

Jesus makes his point by telling a story about two debtors who owe very different amounts but who are both forgiven. The one who was forgiven is more likely to love more also. We all need to be forgiven at one time or another, and God is more than ready to forgive us, but the consequence should be loving gratitude and better behavior in the future as well as a readiness to forgive others.

Life Implications

Since it is so difficult to be truly loving and forgiving persons, we are tempted to take care of the appearances and thereby to acquire a reputation for virtuous living as we continue to indulge our tendency to be judgmental and unforgiving. I had occasion once to give a homily on the gospel story about the Pharisee and the publican. To make my point more forcefully, I tried to describe what Pharisees would look like if they were living today in one of our parishes. I noted, for example, that they would certainly attend Mass on Sunday but, on the way home, they would not hesitate to do a critical and negative assessment of other people that they had seen at Mass.

After the Mass, a man came to the sacristy and said to me: ?�œFather, I think I may be a Pharisee!?�? I was at a loss to respond at first, but then I said to him, ?�œMy friend, take courage; what you have just said is something that a real Pharisee would never say!?�?

It is indeed laudable to attend Mass and to observe all the rules of Christian conduct, but all of this careful observance is of no value if it is not accompanied by a genuine spirit of love and forgiveness.

 

 

Homily from Father Alex McAllister SDS
http://www.ctk-thornbury.org.uk/

There was a man on the radio just the other day who confessed that he had been involved in torture in Iraq. He said that he thought what he was doing was right because he was obtaining military intelligence which he believed would contribute to overcoming terrorism.

Fortunately he came to his senses and realised that what he was doing was wholly wrong and soon afterwards he left the military and has since then devoted his life to promoting the cause of Amnesty International.

I didn’t actually listen to the original piece but to the two letters broadcast in response to it. one said how refreshing it was that someone could repent and make such a turnaround in their lives, the other said that repenting was too easy and he should be locked up for twenty years.

Naturally I agreed with the first letter and instinctively disagreed with the second one. But on reflection I realise that its writer did have a point; torture is a crime and it should be punished, repentance or not.

However, in the light of the fact that this man will never be punished, because if he were it would implicate the whole line of command right to the top, one has to commend him for seeing that he was embroiled in something that was simply evil. And not only repenting, but trying to make some kind of restitution by devoting himself to the work of Amnesty International.

In the Creed it very clearly says, “I believe in the forgiveness of sins”. This is basic Catholic doctrine, we believe in forgiveness. And forgiveness is what Christ is all about; he came to bring us forgiveness.

He not only gave his own life for the forgiveness of our sins but he gave to the Church the power to forgive sins in his name.

We have two great examples of forgiveness in our readings today. In the first reading God forgave King David for the great sin of putting Uriah the Hittite into the line of battle so that he would be killed in order to take his wife for himself.

David was caught up in lust for Bathsheba and this led him to do away with Uriah so that he could possess her. The Prophet Nathan was the only one brave enough to face the King with the accusation of murder and David saw that he had sinned and repented.

In the Gospel we have the story of the woman we generally call Mary Magdalene, although in the text she is not in fact given a name and it is specifically mentioned that Mary Magdalene was a different person.

But leaving names aside, one interesting thing is the reaction of Simon the Pharisee who says to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is.’

What wonderful irony, Jesus knows the woman far better than anyone; yes, he knows her sins but he knows far better the depth of her repentance.

But he also knows Simon far better than Simon would like. He knows his pride and his self-righteousness which Jesus judges far more harshly than the woman’s so-called moral lapses.

Simon has invited Jesus to this supper in order to interrogate him, to sit in judgement of him. That’s why he didn’t give Jesus water to cleanse his feet or give him a kiss of greeting or give him oil to honour him.

An interesting point of comparison in the two stories is the actual moment of forgiveness. David is forgiven the moment he expresses repentance. He says, I have sinned against the Lord.’ And immediately Nathan says to David, ‘The Lord forgives your sin.’

In the case of the woman, it is not recorded that she had ever spoken to Jesus before, yet she felt cleansed before she even came into the house. Jesus says to Simon, ‘Her sins must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love.’

She was forgiven the moment she repented and Jesus confirms this by saying, ‘Your sins are forgiven, your faith has saved you.’

Repentance, the admission of guilt, is crucial; it is the necessary precondition of forgiveness. We can imagine God waiting for us to repent so that he can pour out upon us a great wave of mercy. He, like the Father in the story of the Prodigal Son, is ever waiting for us, ever longing for us to return to him so that he can bestow on us his unlimited mercy and forgiveness.

It is very curious that we humans find admitting guilt so difficult; we see this tendency even in small children who will on occasion blatantly deny doing something wrong when all evidence is to the contrary.

They are no different to us adults who like to throw responsibility for our personal failings on to those around us. It is very hard for us to admit guilt, and frequently this is one reason which prevents us from approaching the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In reality it is our pride which most often gets in the way.

God will not force his mercy upon us; he waits only for the first glimmer of repentance, the first acknowledgement of our need for forgiveness. And yet we can in our heads make this admission into an insurmountable obstacle.

The way to get round it is to understand that no sin is beyond the forgiveness of God, that God’s whole purpose and indeed his greatest delight is to forgive. It is, after all, the very reason he sent Jesus into the world.

When we realise just how much love and mercy our small admission will unleash then all our reticence fades away and we instinctively reach out to God imploring his forgiveness and regretting our delay.

There is one further interesting point in our Gospel text: the sinful woman came to Jesus at a meal.

Here we are gathered at a meal with the Lord; but not just at any meal, for we are gathered at the Eucharist the great meal which itself makes present the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins.

By gathering around this table we are implicitly admitting that we seek God’s forgiveness and that we hunger and thirst for his unlimited fountain of mercy.

All that is left for us is to name our sins and to claim his mercy.

 

 

Homily from Father Clyde A. Bonar, Ph.D.
Contact Father at cbonar@cfl.rr.com

 "Because of Her Great Love"

Introduction

When we go to Confession, after telling our sins, we say an Act of Contrition. Remember these words from the Act of Contrition:

My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, ... because I dread the loss of heaven ..., but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love.

Note the words, "deserving of all my love." Sin offends God, a God we love with our whole heart and soul and mind and strength.

Because we love God, we are sorry for our sins, we confess our sins, our sins are forgiven.

No Love, No Forgiveness

But, Jesus says, "Little is forgiven the one whose love is small." Truth is, unless we love God, we have little awareness of our sins. The wicked do not see their sins, the wicked are too full of mischief to even know they are sinning (cf. Psalm 36:1).

Some people love so little they care for no one. The headline on a newspaper story read, "Woman with HIV seeks love on streets."1 With a shy smile, a striking figure, this lady of the streets likes her many boyfriends. But, she does not care whom she infects with AIDS. Her friendship is for a fee. The judge called her a "walking time bomb."

With little love, there is little forgiveness. Would the woman of the streets asks forgiveness for sins against the Sixth Commandment? I think not. Going to Confession, not on her list of things to do.

Neither would the coke dealer. on the playground, a pusher offers a middle school student some marijuana or crack. Whatever the latest drug. It's free, the kid is told. Just try it. But, the free high is just a come-on. Liking the high the kid asks for some more. Certainly, the pusher says. Each drag, each snort, the price goes up. Then, once hooked, pay the price or suffer withdrawal.

Would the drug pusher asks for forgiveness? I think not. His motive is profit. Get rich quick. So what if lives are ruined. Absent any love, forgiveness is never asked for.

Then, for the big crimes. After celebrating Mass in the local prison, an inmate told me his story. In a fit of rage after hearing his girl friend had been sleeping with another man, this inmate went after the two. Still with a key to the girl's apartment, he quietly went one night with his gun loaded. Before it was all over, the girl friend lay bleeding, her lover, dead.

Would this murderer asks for forgiveness? Never. Furious, he had his revenge. His main regret, being caught.

Jesus says, "Little is forgiven the one whose love is small." Truth is, unless we love God, we have little awareness of our sins. A hooker, a drug dealer, a murderer, too wicked, too full of mischief. Those with little love don't even ask for forgiveness.

With Great Love, All Is Forgiven

But, with great love, Christ says, "her many sins are forgiven." We forgive those we love deeply. We do, and God does. The key for forgiveness, "great love."

One night the evening news showed the male entertainers at a "Ladies only" night club being arrested for indecent exposure. one young man hid his face with his cuffed hands and said, "I don't want my mama to know I've been stripping." He was so ashamed, he knew he'd hurt his mother.

Will his mother forgive him? Of course. That's her son. She nursed him, gave him a hug when he came home crying as a child. His mother read him stories, consoled him over his first broken heart. Where there's great love, there's great forgiveness.

God's the same way. In our first reading, we heard the story of David and Bathsheba. King David looked over his balcony and saw Bathsheba bathing. He knew she was married. Didn’t matter to the king, David called Bathsheba to his bed, got her pregnant, and then sent her husband, Uriah, off to a sure death in battle. There's adultery and conspiring to murder. Grave sins.

But, David also loved God greatly. David wrote the Psalms, praising God. In one Psalm (51:3) David wrote, "I know my sin, my sin is always before me." David said, "I have sinned against the Lord" (2 Samuel 12:13). Did God forgive David? Of course. David loved God greatly, and where there is great love, there is forgiveness.

One more example of great love. In the late nineteenth century, Damien (1840-1889) was the priest at a leper colony. But, so feared was leprosy no one could come to the leper colony for a visit or leave the leper colony on the Island of Molokai. Then, one day, his Provincial came on the supply ship. Damien the Leper wanted to go to Confession. Standing on the pier, his Provincial safe on the ship, the priest shouted his confession. Ship's passengers and crew looked on with curiosity as Damien told his Provincial and Confessor his very personal faults. A public confession, anyone could hear.

Would God forgive Damien's sins? Of course. Damien's love for God so great he had to cleanse his soul.

The key for forgiveness, "great love." Christ said as the woman anointed his feet, "because of her great love, her many sins are forgiven." We forgive those we love deeply. We do, and God does.

In Between Great and Little Love

With little love, little is forgiven; with great love, much is forgiven. Where does that leave us? Truth is, great love develops as we seek forgiveness, and the more we love the more often we seek forgiveness. With frequent confession, both love of God and love of neighbor increase.

A TV advertisement for trash bags always sticks in my memory. The commercial begins just as a man completes cutting his grass. He secures all the cuttings neatly in trash bags and carries the bags to the curb. A sweaty chore done, he sits down for a cool drink. The scene shifts and we see his neighbor carrying a basket of yard trimmings to the fence, where he lifts them over the fence and dumps the yard trimmings on his neighbor's freshly clipped lawn. Such ornery-ness may not be a big sin, but it hardly shows love for neighbor.

Here's where forgiveness comes in. By preparing for confession, by asking for forgiveness, we are reminded to love our neighbors as ourselves. If the man confesses dumping his trash on his neighbor's lawn, he's probably will not do it again. With greater love, we are more sensitive to anything which offends God or neighbor.

Another example, our vocabulary, our choice of words. Few conversations can be heard without the four letter words of foul language. If confronted about their bad language, in defense the user of swear words will say "that's the way I talk," or I want to make certain I make my point. I recall being asked to bless a car just won in the parish's raffle. As I said the prayer of blessing, the new owner continued a monologue of one curse word after another.

Christians find foul language offensive and crude, a violation of God's commandment not to take the Lord's name in vain. Confession again is the key. Before asking forgiveness, we examine our habits. With greater love, each time we go to Confession, we confess our vulgar language. Gradually we eliminate these words from our vocabulary. We become more loving.

With little love, little is forgiven; with great love, much is forgiven. As we seek forgiveness for our sins, big sins and little sins, we find we love more. As our love increases, we are more likely to seek forgiveness for even the slightest offense against God or neighbor.

Conclusion

Among the Desert Fathers, Abba Moses was most emphatic that "If the monk does not think in his heart that he is a sinner, God will not hear him."2

In our gospel today, the difference between the Pharisee and the woman was that she realized truly and deeply the reality of her sin. The Pharisee did not think of himself as a sinner.

May we always recognize our sins and always ask forgiveness. May we have great love.