Loving More
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 7:36-8:3 - 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 days’ 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.”
Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Which of them will love him more?’ Simon said in reply, ‘The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.’
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The story of the penitent woman is one of the most beautiful and well-loved stories in Scripture. It is so beautiful and powerful because it shows the unwavering love of God, even for the worst of sinners. Traditionally this woman is thought to be Mary Magdalene—a public sinner from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. She was a complete mess, spiritually. And the Lord loved her anyway. In fact, the Lord loved her especially. The Lord does not love us because of our lack of sin. He loves us because of His mercy—His infinite mercy. Mary Magdalene believed this—and this belief completely transformed her. In the end she is privileged to be the first witness of Jesus’ Resurrection in the Gospels.
We must remember her transformation next time we judge someone as not worthy of the Faith. We must remember her transformation next time we judge ourselves as not worthy of the Faith. Our worthiness is not a prerequisite for God’s love—God’s mercy is. If ever we are broken because of our sin, we must remember God’s special love for the sinner. We can only understand our value from within God’s mercy.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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