Readings for Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
St Paul delivers an apology (a defense) on the basic tenant of the faith that Christ died for our sins and that there was a physical resurrection witnessed first by the apostles and then by many of Jesus’ followers. He then professes his own witness, marking himself as least among the Apostles (because of his earlier role a emissary or the Sanhedrin, persecutor of the Church). It is supposed that this chapter is directed at refuting those who believe there was no physical resurrection.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1b-2, 16ab-17, 28
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving emphasizing the fidelity of God. The final strophe gives a reminder that God’s only Son was rejected and, in the resurrection, revealed to all the word that he is the cornerstone of all creation.
Gospel: Luke 7:36-50
This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel gives us an excellent example of the relation between forgiveness and love. Jesus uses the radical actions of the sinful woman to demonstrate the extreme pardon the Lord will bestow on those who love him. He contrasts this with the luke-warm acts of love demonstrated by the Pharisee who should expect even less in return.
Homily:
Love and forgiveness; that is the message we take from the Gospel today. Jesus is clearly moved by the sinful woman’s actions of washing and kissing his feet. He understands that her tears are those of repentance and recognition of her past failings. In stark contrast he also has with him Simon the Pharisee in whose home he is dinning. Simon is satisfied that he is doing God’s will in offering hospitality to Jesus and is offended that the Lord should allow this sinful woman to approach him in his home.
Love and forgiveness; the Lord sees the love both of these people have for him as we might see the level of water in a cup. The woman expresses the full measure of love overflowing in her tears while the Pharisee has barely wetted the bottom of that vessel. Who, the Lord asks in his parable, will receive the greatest reward in the end?
Love and forgiveness; that message comes to us. How do we respond to those with whom we have contact, especially those closest to us? Do we ask for forgiveness from those we have wronged, expressing our love for on another as Christ demanded? Or do we hide in the darkness, too proud to admit that we were wrong? Do we extend our forgiveness to others, even without being apologized to, when we are wronged? Or do we harbor the anger and ill will, letting it fester within us?
Love and forgiveness is the lesson we take from the Gospel. Our prayer today must be the Lord’s Prayer and our emphasis placed on “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Our hope is that His perfect mercy overlooks our failures in this regard.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Banquet at the House of Simon” (Detail), Bernardo Strozzi, 1629
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
St Paul delivers an apology (a defense) on the basic tenant of the faith that Christ died for our sins and that there was a physical resurrection witnessed first by the apostles and then by many of Jesus’ followers. He then professes his own witness, marking himself as least among the Apostles (because of his earlier role a emissary or the Sanhedrin, persecutor of the Church). It is supposed that this chapter is directed at refuting those who believe there was no physical resurrection.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1b-2, 16ab-17, 28
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving emphasizing the fidelity of God. The final strophe gives a reminder that God’s only Son was rejected and, in the resurrection, revealed to all the word that he is the cornerstone of all creation.
Gospel: Luke 7:36-50
This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel gives us an excellent example of the relation between forgiveness and love. Jesus uses the radical actions of the sinful woman to demonstrate the extreme pardon the Lord will bestow on those who love him. He contrasts this with the luke-warm acts of love demonstrated by the Pharisee who should expect even less in return.
Homily:
Love and forgiveness; that is the message we take from the Gospel today. Jesus is clearly moved by the sinful woman’s actions of washing and kissing his feet. He understands that her tears are those of repentance and recognition of her past failings. In stark contrast he also has with him Simon the Pharisee in whose home he is dinning. Simon is satisfied that he is doing God’s will in offering hospitality to Jesus and is offended that the Lord should allow this sinful woman to approach him in his home.
Love and forgiveness; the Lord sees the love both of these people have for him as we might see the level of water in a cup. The woman expresses the full measure of love overflowing in her tears while the Pharisee has barely wetted the bottom of that vessel. Who, the Lord asks in his parable, will receive the greatest reward in the end?
Love and forgiveness; that message comes to us. How do we respond to those with whom we have contact, especially those closest to us? Do we ask for forgiveness from those we have wronged, expressing our love for on another as Christ demanded? Or do we hide in the darkness, too proud to admit that we were wrong? Do we extend our forgiveness to others, even without being apologized to, when we are wronged? Or do we harbor the anger and ill will, letting it fester within us?
Love and forgiveness is the lesson we take from the Gospel. Our prayer today must be the Lord’s Prayer and our emphasis placed on “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Our hope is that His perfect mercy overlooks our failures in this regard.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Banquet at the House of Simon” (Detail), Bernardo Strozzi, 1629
No comments:
Post a Comment