In this Sunday’s readings we are like
the fallen king, David, and the woman who weeps at Jesus’ feet.
Like David, the Lord has rescued us
from sin and death, anointed us with His Spirit in baptism and in confirmation.
He has made us heirs of His promise to the children of Israel.
And like David, and like the woman in
the Gospel, we fall into sin. Our crimes may not be as grave as David’s (see 2 Samuel 11:1–26) or as “many” as
that woman’s (see Luke 7:47).
But we often squander the great gift of
salvation we’ve been given. Often we fail to live up to the great calling of
being sons and daughters of God.
The good news of today’s readings, the
good news of Jesus Christ, is that we can return to God in the sacrament of
confession. Each of us can repeat Paul’s wondrous words in this week’s Epistle:
“The Son of God has loved me and given himself up for me.”
Our faith will save us, as Jesus tells
the woman today. Our faith that no matter how many our sins, or how serious, if
we come to him in true sorrow and repentance we will hear his words of
forgiveness. Like David. Like the woman in the Gospel this Sunday.
We hear David’s heartfelt confession in
the First Reading. The Psalmist, too, confesses his sins to God. And we hear
our Lord’s tender words of mercy and pardon in the Gospel.
By His word of healing and his promise
of peace, He makes it possible for us to join Him at the banquet table of the
Eucharist.
We can’t be like the Pharisee in the
Gospel. We should never disdain the sinner or doubt the Lord’s power to convert
even the worst of sinners.
Instead, we should pledge today to
better imitate that sinful woman. In gratitude for the debt we’ve been
forgiven, let us promise to live by faith and for God alone. Like her, let us
devote our lives to serving Him with great love.
Yours in Christ,
Scott Hahn, PhD
Scott Hahn, PhD
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