Praised be Jesus and Mary.
Well, we can see it's pretty obvious from today's readings that the church is sending us a message of repentance, mercy, and forgiveness.
You know, no one, whoever met Jesus, could do so with indifference.
They were either attracted to him or offended by him.
So, why did a rabbi invite Jesus to a nice dinner?
And then treat him discourteously by neglecting to give him the customary signs of respect and honor.
Maybe he patronized him because of his popularity with the crowds.
We know interiorly he criticized Jesus' character.
Compassionate treatment of a woman of ill repute because Pharisees shunned the company of public sinners.
Unfortunately, in so doing, they neglected to give them the help they needed to find healing and peace.
So, why did this woman, you know, with a bad reputation, approach Jesus?
And anoint him at the risk of ridicule and abuse by others?
Well, the woman's actions were clearly motivated by one thing.
And one thing only.
You know, her love for Jesus and her gratitude for forgiveness.
You know, she did something, however, a Jewish woman would never do in public.
She...
Let down her hair.
She anointed Jesus with her tears.
This woman was oblivious to everyone around her except for Jesus.
She also did something which only love can do.
She took the most precious thing she had and spent it all on Jesus.
Her love was not calculated, but generous, even extravagant, you know, in a spirit of humility and heartfelt repentance.
She willingly served the one who showed her the mercy and kindness of God.
You know, Jesus, in his customary fashion, never lost the opportunity to draw a lesson.
You know, Jesus, in his customary fashion, never lost the opportunity to draw a lesson.
You know, Jesus, in his customary fashion, never lost the opportunity to draw a lesson.
You know, Jesus, in his customary fashion, never lost the opportunity to draw a lesson from such an incident.
He places the parable of the two debtors before his host
He places the parable of the two debtors before his host
A rabbi and teacher of the people.
Jesus makes it clear that great love springs from a heart, forgiven and cleansed.
Jesus makes it clear that great love springs from a heart, forgiven and cleansed.
Jesus makes it clear that great love springs from a heart, forgiven and cleansed.
Is there a link?
You know, Saint Peter tells us that love covers a multitude of things.
You know, Saint Peter tells us that love covers a multitude of things.
of sins. You know, the woman's
lavish expression of love was proof
that she had found favor with God.
You know, the stark contrast of attitudes
between Simon and the woman of ill
repute demonstrates how we can either
accept or reject
God's mercy.
You know, Simon, who regarded himself as an upright Pharisee,
felt no need for love
and mercy. His
self-righteousness and self-sufficiency
kept him from acknowledging
his need for God's
grace.
During
history,
three years' public ministry, Jesus,
we know, traveled extensively.
And St. Luke tells us
that a band of women accompanied
Jesus and the twelve
apostles. You know, this was
a diverse group
of women. We know that
Mary Magdalene
had lived a very troubled
life before
Jesus freed
her of seven demons.
And as the the wife of King Herod's chief financial
officer, Joanna, was a wealthy lady of the court.
You know, it's unlikely that these two women
would have ever met under other circumstances.
You know, what brought them together
and united them in the bond
of friendship was service and loyalty.
to Jesus. Well, certainly, Jesus and his message of the kingdom of God had transformed them.
Unlike the apostles, who took great pride in being the chosen 12. You know, these women
didn't seek position or demand special privileges. Jesus had touched them so deeply that they
were grateful to do anything for him, even menial service. You know, they brought their
gifts and their resources to Jesus to use as he saw fit. And so, you know, we ask ourselves,
are we more like the apostles who were concerned about their position, or like the women who
were?
Content to serve Jesus quietly and generously, you know, with their personal resources. In
our fallen state, you know, our natural tendency is to want to be served and placed first and
to avoid giving too much of ourselves.
And, you know, we really, who really prefers taking the lowly place of a servant and who
puts the needs of others before their own needs? You know, Jesus is our best example
who came to be served, who came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life,
and to serve and to give his life as a ransom for us. You know, the Gospel honors these
women who imitated Jesus in his selfless, sacrificial love and humble service. So, you
know, we have to ask Our Lady to help us make our hearts like the heart of the woman in today's
Gospel, a heart filled with love and gratitude for the mercy that Jesus has shown to each
one of us, and grant us the love to serve Jesus in others with a generous spirit. You
know, I'm sure that any of us would consider ourselves privileged and fortunate to be counted
on.
You know, I'm sure that any of us would consider ourselves privileged and fortunate to be counted
among the women mentioned in today's Gospel who followed and served our Lord every day.
But actually, they have no advantage over us because we do have that very same opportunity
every day with the people in our own lives. You know, did not our Lord tell us that whatever
we do,
do the least of His brethren, whatever we do to anyone, we do to Him?
Whatever we do to Anyone, we do to Him.