Greetings on this the Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Psalm 118:1b-2, 16ab-17, 28; Luke 7:36-50
Summary
The editors of the biblical translation we use use footnotes to clarify, define and extend the sacred script we read each day. Sometimes the notes are brief (a translation or a cross reference) and sometimes the editors give us a paragraph to contemplate. A miniature reflection. Today is such a day.
The Pardon of the Sinful Woman
[7:36–50] In this story of the pardoning of the sinful woman Luke presents two different reactions to the ministry of Jesus. A Pharisee, suspecting Jesus to be a prophet, invites Jesus to a festive banquet in his house, but the Pharisee’s self-righteousness leads to little forgiveness by God and consequently little love shown toward Jesus. The sinful woman, on the other hand, manifests a faith in God (Lk 7:50) that has led her to seek forgiveness for her sins, and because so much was forgiven, she now overwhelms Jesus with her display of love; cf. the similar contrast in attitudes in Lk 18:9–14. The whole episode is a powerful lesson on the relation between forgiveness and love. (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/7?36)
Reflection
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve (1 Cor 15:3-5)
Credal Beliefs
[15:3–7] The language by which Paul expresses the essence of the “gospel” (1 Cor 15:1) is not his own but is drawn from older credal formulas. This credo highlights Jesus’ death for our sins (confirmed by his burial) and Jesus’ resurrection (confirmed by his appearances) and presents both of them as fulfillment of prophecy. In accordance with the scriptures: conformity of Jesus’ passion with the scriptures is asserted in Mt 16:1; Lk 24:25–27, 32, 44–46. Application of some Old Testament texts (Ps 2:7; 16:8–11) to his resurrection is illustrated by Acts 2:27–31; 13:29–39; and Is 52:13–53:12 and Hos 6:2 may also have been envisaged. (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/15?1=#54015001)
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever (Ps 118:1b).
Personal Reflection
The sinful woman overwhelmed Jesus with love.
Alabaster is a white stone that is translucent and is hollowed out to be used as a vessel to store expensive perfumes or oils. Sometimes you can see into the jar but not see the fluid in the jar. In other words, you might be able to see the level of fluid and a bit about its basic color but to know what the contents are … you have to pour it out. As she did. The alabaster jar is her heart and the perfumed oil is her love which she generously pours out, with tears of gratitude and visible anointing his feet. She anointed my feet with 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.
What do you think people will say about your love for Jesus? Do they have a sense of your love by looking into your alabaster jar and see the fluid level? When you pour out the oil, where does it go? On whom do you pour it?
Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me (Mt 25:40b).
Pour your loving oil upon all those around you, friend and foe. In pouring it upon them, you pour it upon Christ.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091726.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry