June 12, 2016: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Forgive … and bring healing to others and yourself.

A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred day’s wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36-50)

Reflection:

Ten years ago an Amish community forgave a man who shot ten of their children while the children were in school, and the Amish community (the victims) also consoled the family of the shooter (the sinner). As shown in today’s gospel, forgiving frees the sinner to change, grow, and love….and forgiving is also necessary for the healing of the victim.

Giving forgiveness is difficult, but with God’s help and grace we can become a forgiving people.

Action:

This week think about a time you were angry with someone who hurt you or who hurt someone you know…and you wanted to get even. Remember to ask God’s help in giving forgiveness so you can be part of freeing someone to change, as well as healing yourself to become a more forgiving person.