(Optional Memorial for Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr)
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“Feast at the House of Simon” (detail)
Paolo Veronese, 1567-70
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Reading 1: 1 Timothy 4:12-16
Beloved:
Let no one have contempt for your youth,
but set an example for those who believe,
in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching.
Do not neglect the gift you have,
which was conferred on you through the prophetic word
with the imposition of hands by the presbyterate.
Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them,
so that your progress may be evident to everyone.
Attend to yourself and to your teaching;
persevere in both tasks,
for by doing so you will save
both yourself and those who listen to you.
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Commentary on 1 Tm 4:12-16
In this selection from St. Paul’s Letter we hear the evangelist instructing St. Timothy on his pastoral duties and conduct. St. Paul urges him to use his God-given gifts to their fullest and to set an example for his congregation. Timothy is reminded that the mission that was conferred upon him through the imposition of hands by the presbyterate will be accomplished through the Holy Spirit, and it will lead him and those he serves to salvation.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:7-8, 9, 10
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
wrought in truth and equity.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
prudent are all who live by it.
His praise endures forever.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
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Commentary on Ps 111:7-8, 9, 10
Psalm 111 is continued, a song of praise. Creation and salvation flow from the Heavenly Father and his faithful rejoice in his promise. The psalmist reminds the people that their deliverance depends upon being faithful to the Lord's precepts. God's covenant will be an eternal blessing.
CCC: Ps 111:9 2807
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Gospel: Luke 7:36-50
A certain 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;
hence, 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.”
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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 be. 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.SCommemoratio
[2] The picture is “Feast at the House of Simon” (detail) Paolo Veronese, 1567-70.
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
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