Thursday of the
Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Timothy 4:12-16; Luke 7:36-50)
We may think of Jesus as
unfriendly toward all Pharisees, but this is not the case. True, he chastises a few, but then he eats
with others. He has a lot in common with
Pharisees. Like them Jesus is a layman
and learned in the Law. Also like the
Pharisees, Jesus teaches in synagogues and exerts effort to live
righteously. Nothing should seem
peculiar, therefore, in Jesus’ entering a Pharisee’s home in the gospel today.
Simon, the Pharisee, becomes
scandalized with Jesus. He sees our Lord
allowing a notoriously sinful woman to bathe and anoint his feet. As if that were not enough, Jesus also lets
her kiss them. Although he does not say it, Simon thinks that Jesus cannot be a
prophet. If he were, Simon figures, Jesus
would look into the woman’s heart and see that she is not worthy. But Jesus proves himself a prophet with Simon’s
criterion. He knows the woman’s heart to
be repentant and thus receptive of God’s grace.
Likewise, he reads the cynicism of Simon’s heart that criticizes too
much and loves too little.
Jesus demonstrates God’s mercy as
he forgives the woman her sins and enlightens Simon of his. Mercy at times requires fraternal correction
as Jesus calls Simon to task for cynicism.
It also allows a humble person to express love in her own way even if it
means embarrassment. We should pray that
Jesus will treat us as graciously as he does these two sinners. As church-goers, we are susceptible to cynicism,
which is finding faults in others. When
we criticize others harshly, may Christ remind us of our sin. May he also offer us opportunities to show
our love for him.
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