MERCY ENDURES FOREVER
How quickly do I judge others? How often do I fail to see my own failures in life? What am I impelled to do as I pray daily, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Mt 6:12)?
In the Gospel today, Jesus is invited to the home of a Pharisee. While dining, a sinful woman who lives in the city sits at Jesus' feet weeping. What is her sin? The Gospel does not say, but her actions cause Simon to judge Jesus: "If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him" (Lk 7:39). But then the tables turn and Jesus judges Simon.
Jesus says to him, "'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; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.'He said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven'" (Lk 7:45-48). It is important to note that Jesus takes away the harsh judgment against her when He says, "Her many sins have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love."
Here are some challenging questions to ask ourselves and ponder on today: How quickly do I judge others? How often do I fail to see my own failures in life? What am I impelled to do as I pray daily, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Mt 6:12)? Jesus forgives this woman because of her extravagant love. He gives her His mercy, love and forgiveness. Think about who is in need of our love, today, rather than our harsh judgment. Put some thought into the people who have given us love and understanding when we deserved criticism.
There is a reflection in the Magnificat written by St. Peter Chrysologus: "God's hunger is for the groans of delinquents, and His thirst is for tears of sinners." In the Responsorial Psalm we acclaim, "The works of His hands are faithful and just; sure are all His precepts, reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity" (Ps 111:7-8). St. Peter Chrysologus continues his reflection on the woman into today's Scripture: "She mixed the drink with tears in proper measure, and to the full delight of God she struck music from her heart and body."
God's mercy endures forever!