Memorial of Saint Cornelius, pope and martyr, and Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr
(I Timothy
4:12-16; Luke 7:36-50)
Today’s
gospel can help one understand the controversy around Sts. Cornelius and
Cyprian. Cornelius was pope during the
Decian martyrdom of Christians (250 A.D.).
A priest named Novatian taught those who had apostatized during persecution,
called lapsi, could not be forgiven even if they repented their sins. Cornelius with Cyprian’s encouragement ruled
to the contrary. He held that the lapsi
after repentance and due penance could be given the sacraments.
In the
gospel Jesus has no trouble forgiving the sins of the sinful woman who shows
great repentance. He must argue the
point with Simon the Pharisee, who is blind to his small sins which might
include disdain for both the sinful women and Jesus. Belying Simon’s
self-notation, Jesus proves himself to be a prophet in three ways. He knows what Simon is thinking. He chastises Simon for his contempt. And he forgives the woman’s sin.
Many of us act
like the Simon, the Pharisee. Our sins
are not egregious, but we are often blind to them. We should heed what Jesus says and does. He warns us of exaggerating our goodness, and
he is ready to forgive those who repent of their faults.
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