Photo illustration by Phil Younk
Click on the photo for a printable PDF!
Loving Jesus always ready to forgive us
Based on 2 Sam 12:7-10, 13; Gal 2:16, 19-21; Gospel of Lk 7:36-8:3
We can sum up this Sunday’s readings about sin and its consequences in four words: repentance, forgiveness, mercy and love.
In the Gospel, Jesus is having dinner at the home of Simon, the Pharisee. To everyone’s surprise, a woman enters the room and kneels weeping before Jesus. She bathes Jesus’ feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses them and anoints them with perfumed ointment.
Jesus looks at the woman with great love. “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
This woman had done many bad things. Simon is upset Jesus would allow such a bad person to touch him. Jesus gently rebukes him and teaches Simon by asking a couple of questions that quietly move his conscience. Jesus challenges Simon and his guests with the lesson that someone given so much forgiveness will be most grateful.
Simon and his guests saw the woman as an unacceptable person who acted improperly. Jesus saw the woman as a person with faith, love and potential for spiritual conversion.
The Gospel story tells how loving and forgiving Jesus is. He is always ready to forgive us when we’re sorry for any wrongdoing. In the same way, Jesus wants us to forgive others when they do something wrong to us. Jesus wants us to love others as he loves them. Love and forgiveness always go together.
Jesus gives us a chance to experience his love and forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation.
His words, “Your sins are forgiven.… Your faith has saved you, go in peace” are quoted almost verbatim by the priest when we go to confession. Jesus is pleased and generously showers us with his merciful and healing love. Regular and frequent confession is one of the surest ways to grow spiritually.
“Heart of Jesus, generous to all who turn to you, have mercy on us.”
