Saints Andrew Kim
Tae-gon, priest and martyr; Paul Chong Ha-sang, martyr; and companions, martyrs
(I Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 7:36-50)
The Charismatic Renewal has received more than its
rightful share of criticisms. Pastors
sometimes want to suppress it or to keep it from gaining a foothold. They find its participants too emotional and insufficiently
submissive to prayer norms and customs. Yet
the movement is perhaps the most effective resource for evangelization in the
Church today. Detractors might consider
the message of today’s gospel before launching criticisms.
Of course, the narrative says nothing about charismatic
prayer. Rather, it tells the story of an
emotional woman showing gratitude to Jesus.
She likely heard him preach of
God’s mercy and came to the house of Simon, the Pharisee, to show her appreciation. She lavishes affection on Jesus which would
appear extreme except, perhaps, at a Charismatic prayer meeting. To Simon she is giving added evidence of
harlotry, but Jesus recognizes a show of genuine contrition. He forgives her all her sins while pointing
out to Simon his complacencies.
We should see the Pharisees in the gospel as warnings that
we do not criticize the ways of others to worship God. What may seem odd or eccentric to us may
please the Lord as much as our rosaries and penances. Charismatics especially deserve our continual
consideration as they both praise God regularly and bring others to the
community. Truth be told, they are more
likely than most to participate in join services to the needy.
