11th Sunday in Ordinary Time C & Weekdays

11^th Sunday in Ordinary Time C

2 Sam.12: 7-10, 13.  Psalm 31:1-2, 5-7, 11.Rv 5.  Galatians 2:16.19-21.

Why have you shown contempt for the Lord, doing what displeases him?

I live in faith: faith in the Son of God who loved me and sacrificed himself for my sake.

It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love

Luke 7:36-8:3

³⁶ One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee's house and took his place at table, ³⁷ suddenly a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard Jesus was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. ³⁸ 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. ³⁹ 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.' ⁴⁰ Then Jesus took him up and said, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' He replied, 'Say on, Master.' ⁴¹ 'There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. ⁴² They were unable to pay, so he let them both off. Which of them will love him more?' ⁴³ Simon answered, 'The one who was let off more, I suppose.' Jesus said, 'You are right.' ⁴⁴ 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. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ 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.' ⁴⁸ Then he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' ⁴⁹ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, 'Who is this man, that even forgives sins?' ⁵⁰ But he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'

¹ Now it happened that after this he made his way through towns and villages preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, ² as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³ Joanna the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their own resources.

Have you felt the love of Jesus?

You can’t commit sin in your sleep, nor when you do not realize what you are doing is sinful, nor when you are in some way forced and not able to make a free decision. David knew that committing adultery with Bathsheba was sinful. He freely gave in to his lustful feelings and took her to his bed. He tried to cover up his evil deed but when he failed he cold-bloodedly planned and carried out the murder of Uriah, her husband. Uriah was dead. David thought he had succeeded. But God sees all. Confronted with his sin, David repents and Nathan tells him he will not die. But his child has to die and “the sword will never be far from your House”. His own son will try to kill David.

The contrast with the Gospel could not be starker. The woman too has sinned and not just once. “Her many sins” Jesus calls them. Those sins though done in bed were not done in sleep. She knew she was sinning and she freely sinned. There was no excuse. She stood guilty before God and man. Man’s verdict is clear and harsh. Simon gives it. But what is God’s verdict? Now that God has Himself become a man and has undergone Himself all the temptations that every man and woman can encounter, He understands the weakness and frailty of people. They are sick. They are bound. They are victims. They need mercy, healing and strength as much as forgiveness. Yet He understands the horror and wickedness of sin and will experience this in his own flesh as He hangs in anguish on the cross – the physical victim of our sins. But Jesus came for sinners like this woman and David too. Repentance is of the essence but like the father in the parable of the lost son which he will tell later, Jesus goes out to the sinner. He will not crush the broken reed.

The difference between heaven and hell, we are told, is that hell is full of unrepentant sinners whereas heaven is full of sinners who turned to Jesus for mercy. The greatest saints were once the greatest of sinners: the woman in today’s Gospel forgiven and healed of 'her many sins', St. Peter who failed his Lord and”going out wept bitterly”. St. Paul, who could never thank God enough for the grace of conversion.

If only we have faith enough to meet Jesus as a real person, we will experience his love. Once we know His love, then we will also turn to him and be saved. Do you want to experience Jesus? Then search for Him daily in prayer and His Word.

Father, grant that I may taste your love in the forgiveness of my sins and sing your praise in thanksgiving.

 Capernaum and the northern end of the sea of Galilee. Here light rose over the earth