(Optional Memorial for Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
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| “Feast at the House of Simon” (detail) Paolo Veronese, 1567-70 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Timothy 4:12-16
Commentary on 1 Tm 4:12-16
In this selection from St. Paul St. Paul
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:7-8, 9, 10
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
Commentary on Ps 111:7-8, 9, 10
We continue with Psalm 111, a song of praise. Creation and salvation flow from the Heavenly Father and his faithful rejoice in his promise.
CCC: Ps 111:9 2807
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Gospel: Luke 7:36-50
Commentary on Lk 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 lukewarm acts of love demonstrated by the Pharisee who should expect even less in return.
In the story, the strong moral point is made about the depth of the love of God and its relation to all peoples; for none are free of sin. The Pharisee clearly does not believe he is a sinful person and looks with disdain on the woman who humbly washes the Lord’s feet with her tears and dries them with her hair. The Lord tells the story of the two debtors to illustrate his point that the magnitude of sin forgiven stimulates a corresponding level of gratitude and love in return.
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Homily:
It is ironic that many of the teaching stories of Jesus; those generally directed at the Pharisees (the hypocrites) have such a significant warning to the fervent Catholic Christian.
In the story from St. Luke’s Gospel today we see Jesus attended by a woman of dubious character. If we put ourselves in the same situation as that Pharisee, let’s say for example our Bishop or Priest came to dinner and a prostitute or worse – say a politician tainted by graft or some other sin came to the door and wanted urgently to see him. In most cases, unless we were overruled by our guest, that person would never see the inside of our house. We would be protective of our guest. And if we let that person in and they were received with intense love, would we not be scandalized? This big sinner was receiving love from the person we thought should be holding the flock to the highest possible standard. Wouldn’t we be suspicious? Would we not feel that our guest was being more compassionate and loving toward this undeserving low-life than to us, their host and admirer?
We can deny it all we want, but human nature and the urgings of the evil one are parts of our character that are frequently given more reign in our lives than they should. That is why it is so important for us that the Word of God be in front of us. We are constantly asked to balance righteous indignation with compassion and consolation.
Jesus calls us to a high standard. He tells us with his word and shows us with his actions that we must meekly submit to God and at the same time stand courageously against the evil of the world. And when a person makes an effort to come to the Lord in faith, even if we think that person undeserving of forgiveness, we must remember Christ’s words “So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
Pax
[1] S.S Commemoratio
[2] The picture is “Feast at the House of Simon” (detail) Paolo Veronese, 1567-70
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