Word to the Wise
Sunday, June 13, 2010 - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
[2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13; Galatians 2:16, 19-21; Luke 7:36 - 8:3]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.
These words of Jesus come at the end of an extraordinary scene. The woman in question was certainly not an invitee to the Pharisee's table. The Pharisee is scandalized by her conduct and by Jesus' allowing her to touch him. But Jesus is deeply moved by her tender gesture. Jesus uses a parable to instruct the Pharisee to help him understand the power of the woman's behavior. It all comes down to a realization of how great God's mercy can be and the "debt" of gratitude that is "owed" for that mercy. I fear the Sacrament of Reconciliation as we know it has instilled less an attitude of thankfulness than an attitude of fear and relief. I don't often hear people associate the sacrament with the word, "love!" Yet Jesus is saying to us that forgiveness is an essential element of love! If we find ourselves in need of great forgiveness, and we receive that forgiveness, should not we love the source of that mercy? In the Gospel of Matthew, there is a parable about an unforgiving servant who fails to show the same mercy he has received, and the consequences of that failure.(Matthew 18) The woman in today's gospel scripture dramatically expresses her love and gratitude for God's mercy. Jesus' response is not just about his power to forgive sins, but also about the love and forgiveness that we all owe one another. We can be especially grateful for the courage and love shown by this woman. AMEN
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