Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop,
and martyrs
(I Corinthians 15:15:12-20; Luke 8:1-3)
Sometimes there is posted on a church door the sign, “Alcoholics
Anonymous meets here. There couldn’t be
a more appropriate place for this kind of group to meet. Alcoholics Anonymous harbors people from whom
a kind of demon has gone out. To be
sure, one attending an AA meeting would not claim to be cured of alcoholism,
but the person no longer acts out in ways that “before caused so much damage. In today’s gospel we find another one who was
possessed of a demon but now finds relief in church company.
Mary Magdalene is often said to have been a prostitute
because she is assumed to be the “sinful woman” who appears in the gospel
episode preceding today’s passage. There
is no real basis for the claim. In fact,
Luke, the evangelist, probably lays the stories of the two women side by side
to indicate that all kinds of women find peace with Jesus. Well thought of women as well as former
sinners come to him. He rejects no one
although, of course, seeks a new righteousness from everyone.
We too are a motley lot wherever we go to church. Some of us have sullied histories. Others have been able to avoid serious
sin. We all can rejoice to be with the
Lord. He not only forgives our sins but assures
us of his eternal peace.
