The
gospel passage today tells of the great power involved in the act of
forgiveness. Forgiveness is the most regenerative dynamic of
all – because it reflects what happened on a Friday afternoon on Calvary. In
the great act of self-sacrifice, the God-man, brought about the forgiveness
that was absolutely necessary so that mankind could be reconciled with God:
forgiven and vindicated.
The woman in the passage
demonstrates her penitent heart by washing the feet of Jesus with her tears and
then anointing them with perfume.
And what happens, she is
criticized by unforgiven Pharisees, for being extravagant, showy and wasteful.
But Jesus knows her heart, and ends by forgiving her sins – because he is God –
and he can do that.
Once again, the Pharisees are
put back because Jesus is apparently claiming to either be God, or to have
God’s powers. And once again, it is because they do not seek his mercy that he
cannot show forgiveness of sin to them – who have many sins of judgmentalism
and uncharity to confess.
St. Paul tells Timothy to step
up to the plate – even though he is a young newly ordained bishop. He too has
been given Christ’s own power to forgive those who ask it, to reconcile men
with God. He must use it!
May we not fail to get all the
benefits that are coming to us in regard to being freed from what can hold us
earth bound – benefits that come from our own acts of penitence and confession
to the ears of God – who will forgive, comfort and send us forth refreshed and
renewed.
In our labor, let us go to Jesus and he
will give us rest!
No comments:
Post a Comment