Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Throughout the gospels (including today’s reading), Jesus says, “Your faith has saved you.” What might Jesus be saying to us about the importance of faith and mercy in our lives?
In the gospel reading from Luke, Jesus is at supper at a Pharisee’s home when a “sinful woman” washes and anoints Jesus’ feet. The Pharisee sees this display and wonders how Jesus could allow this to happen. His self-righteous attitude prevents him from seeing this woman as anything but broken and unlovable. Jesus, however, extends not only forgiveness but salvation to this woman because of her faith. Jesus compares the Pharisee and the woman and remarks that the woman is able to show greater love because of her ability to recognize the need for mercy and her belief in God’s grace.
The Pharisee in the reading seems to illustrate our human tendency to judge others. This self-righteousness prevents us from seeing our own brokenness and need for help. Without this awareness, we are unable to be healed. A recent homily from Bishop Robert Barron reminded me about the 12 step program. The first steps in the program require the admission of helplessness and the necessity of relying on a “higher power” to be healed. Our spiritual healing and salvation requires this same surrender. If we are unable to humbly admit our need for mercy, then in some ways we close off the ability to receive God’s grace. The woman in today’s reading readily identifies the need for forgiveness, and her ability to be open provides her the opportunity for grace that brings healing and redemption. Jesus tells her, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” We need God’s grace to find peace, love and salvation, but God does not force this on us. God patiently waits for us to say “I need your help!”
I believe that Jesus loves both the Pharisee and the woman who anoints his feet. However, the difference in the love that the woman shows to Jesus and the Pharisee’s reception of Jesus to his home is remarkable. She is overflowing with love and gratitude because she has experienced God’s love, acceptance and mercy. Her humility and faith opens the door for this conversion to occur. Jesus invites us to this same transformation. Similar to the beginning of the 12 step process, we need to understand that we are unable to fix ourselves, and we must rely on the goodness of our God to provide what we need. This faith in God allows us to receive great mercy, which then opens us to the many graces of living in Christ.
I have often wondered how can I love more throughout my daily life. This scripture reminds me that God is the source of love, so if I desire to be more loving, I must begin with my own need for healing and forgiveness. My faith in God allows me to experience forgiveness which then helps me become the conduit of God’s love in all that I do.
My life continues to be broken and sinful, so I am called to turn back to God again and again. I can do this in faith, since today’s responsorial psalm reminds me that God is good and “his mercy endure forever.” This assurance is certainly a good reason to give thanks and praise to God!
Loving God, Jesus shows us your love and mercy. Send your Spirit upon us as we humbly trust in your healing and salvation. May your mercy transform us to become Disciples of Jesus in the world today. We pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN
—Marylynn Herchline