Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
1 Cor 15: 1-11; Luke 7: 36-50
By Deacon Larry Brockman
Appearances can be deceiving- like in today’s Gospel. First, there is the respected man of God- the Pharisee; and then there is the sinful woman. Jesus praises the sinful woman, and pretty much blasts the respected man of God. Why? Because of what is in their hearts and how that plays out in their lives.
The Pharisee is comfortable with himself and his position. He has learned all the rules and is following them. He thinks he has it made right where he is. The sinful woman is not comfortable with herself. She has broken all the rules and knows it. She realizes something must be done. Both have heard the message of Jesus. The Pharisee is seeking validation by association. It’s like he is saying: “I will invite this man, the latest crave among the people, to my home; and by association with him, my perfect life will be validated.” But the sinful woman wants only a chance to be forgiven. She hears the message of Jesus, believes and repents. She demonstrates her contrition and faithfulness with actions not words. On the one hand, we have complacency, comfort and inaction. On the other hand, we have faith, contrition, and growth.
St. Paul echoes the faith and humility of the sinful woman. He persecuted the Church, and he realized his sin. But by the grace of God- the grace of God- he saw the light, and became a believer. And by the grace of God, he said “I am what I am”. Yes indeed, Paul was the greatest of the evangelists to the Gentiles. Similarly, by the grace of God- after hearing the message, repenting, and coming to believe, the sinful woman reaches out and does something. Do we see this contrast today- this contrast between people like the Pharisee who have settled in on a way of life and the sinful woman who realizes that more is required of her? Because Jesus message applies to us today as well.
God is always calling us to change, to conversion. It is a life-long process. Our growth as Christians isn’t over when we become confirmed and go out into the secular world to make a living; it doesn’t end when we have children; it doesn’t end when the children grow up; and it doesn’t end when we retire. Our challenge to recognize our imperfections; repent; and trust in the will of God, to move out and do something that grows us as Christians, is always there till the day we die.
Our humility and willingness to respond to God come from the heart. They are not always visible from the image we portray. Indeed, don’t let appearances be deceiving.