Month: September 2020

Sacred Scripture

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9: 57-62)

Reflection

I doubt that any group would use the words and scenes  from today’s Gospel as a recruitment poster. The words seem harsh, the vignettes seem too challenging But the sentiment that pervades the message is absolutely accurate and it challenges each of us to measure our faith against the standards of Jesus Christ.

In each of the three examples that Jesus offers there is an absolute need for spiritual detachment in order to truly be a follower of Christ. It frees us to give ourselves without reserve to the Lord and his service. While many of us may not need to give up the comfort of our own home and bed to follow Jesus, we, nonetheless, must be willing to part with anything that might stand in the way of doing God’s will. We must truly stop and question whether we are prepared to be His follower. If there are things of this world that mean more then the answer is simple – those are the things that mean more to us than a commitment to follow Jesus.

The umbrella truth about discipleship is that being a Christian and a disciple of Jesus gives us a whole new identity. We are no longer simply a biological unit on this earth, but a child of the God of the whole universe. We now live knowing that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). Because our lives are now measured by eternal things, we are “exiles and aliens” in this world (1Peter 2:11).

Jesus is also reminding His followers to count the cost before he signs up. “If you follow me, you’ll have a stone for a pillow and not much more. We’ll get up each day not knowing where our food will come from. If you stay with me long enough, you’ll run into some big-time trouble. There are some powerful people who wish I was dead. Sooner or later, they’re going to kill me. The road ahead is hard and the worst is yet to come. If you follow me, you’re going to give up all your earthly security and trust me to take care of you. Are you in or out?”

That question Jesus intends for us as well.  Are you ready to walk  the path Jesus offers?  His grace is sufficient and his love is strong.  There is nothing greater we can do with our lives than to place them at the service of the Lord and Master of the universe. We cannot outgive God in generosity.  Jesus promises that those who are willing to part with what is most dear to them for his sake “will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29).

Is there anything holding you back from pursuing the Lord and his will for your life?

Prayer of The Day

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will.  All that I am and all that I possess you have given me. I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will.  Give me only your love and your grace — with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more.” (Prayer of Ignatius Loyola, 1491-1556)

Daily Note

Little did the disciples know that day that they would soon become nomads on this earth, travelling all over, with no fixed home, living in often frightening and hostile circumstances, as followers of their Lord. But they — and we — were also pilgrims, because pilgrims do have a final destination, namely in eternity with God.

Sacred Scripture

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1: 47-51)

Reflection

At the heart of todays Gospel is a story of putting aside unfounded assumptions and discovering the love of God.

Let’s begin with assumptions. Nathanial was very skeptical. He didn’t like Nazareth and didn’t want to have anything to do with people coming from Nazareth. Perhaps we are like Nathanial. We reject others (or at least keep them distant from us) because they come from some place or position, we don’t like or find fault with. Assumptions act as limitations. They narrow our vision. They close off the possibility of change and growth. Ultimately, they impoverish our faith and proclaim there is no room for God to show up and act.

But Jesus spoke a word to Nathaniel and he moved from the assumption stage to seeing his heart ablaze with wonder! Jesus who knows our hearts better than we do revealed to Nathaniel the innermost thoughts and desire of his heart. Nathaniel was hungry for knowledge of God. He really wanted to know God personally. That happens with us. God places in every heart a longing and desire to know the One who created us in love for love.

That is why Augustine of Hippo, who found God only after many years of wandering in disbelief and darkness, exclaimed: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

Our assumptions, our insatiable desire to concretize our emotions will lead us to forget some basic truths about our spiritual life and our relationship with God.

We did not choose God. He chose us from all eternity. In Jesus’ incarnation, the divine Son of God taking on human flesh for our sake, we see the union of heaven and earth — God making his dwelling with us and bringing us into the heavenly reality of his kingdom. Jesus’ death on the Cross and his Resurrection opens the way for each of us to come into a new relationship with God as his sons and daughters. 

We are called by Him primarily to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ. We do that through our lives, our words and our actions.

We are called to a life of peace and blessing with God. Jesus sees us, he knows everything about us and perceives our deepest needs. And if we follow him, as he says to Nathanael, “[we] will see heaven opened…”

Jesus Christ is, indeed, a Savior to be followed – and it is a lifetime’s work for us to live out these two simple instructions: “Follow me!” and “Come and see!”

Today we follow, tomorrow we will come and see.

Prayer of The Day

“Heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you have opened the way to heaven for us.  As you revealed yourself to your beloved Patriarchs and Apostles, so reveal yourself to me that I may glorify you in my daily life.  May I always find joy in your presence and never lose sight of the kingdom of heaven.”

Daily Note

Over and over Jesus shows up from the Nazareths of our life and calls us out from under the fig tree. Whenever we leave the fig tree, we open ourselves to see God present and at work in the most unexpected places and people. As the assumptions fall a new life and a new world arise

Sacred Scripture

An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”( Luke 9: 46-50)

Reflection

Just think about something every follower of Christ knows. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took on a lowly nature so that he could raise us up. Or as Matthew wrote: He came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). Hold that thought.

While the disciples quibbled about their importance, Jesus takes a child in His arms and offers the child as a model of greatness. It is interesting that the greatness is to be seen in the child rather than in the one who receives it.

In Jesus’ eyes, such little people are truly great because, to those who have eyes to see, they are the ones in whom we can especially meet Jesus and love and serve him. It is through the eyes of a child that we can truly see the spark of divinity in another human being.  That does not happen if it if our eyes are clouded with pride , selfishness, self grandeur, and ambition. That does not happen if the good works we do are measured by how important those works make us look.  It is only through humility that each of us can reach our greatness in His eyes.

Humility. A very elusive gift then and now. The appetite for glory and greatness seems to be inbred in us.  Who doesn’t cherish the ambition to be “somebody” whom others admire rather than a “nobody”? For most, greatness is defined by recognition, power and influence, prominence. But that type of “greatness “ is passing and temporary; the time will come that it passes and we shall be forgotten.

True greatness only accrues to the who is humble and lowly of heart — who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by believing in being a servant to another.

Jesus Christ personified true greatness. His humility, His self-sacrifice and His refusal to wield power for His own self-interest. That is the standard by which our lives and others need to be measured. Be especially wary of those who wrap themselves in the cloak of power and self-interest.

Christ desires His followers to aim at honor and greatness by means of a quiet and condescending humility. He wants us and his disciples to not grasp for first place, but to be servants to one another. Jesus call us to “become like the child” In complete humility to be open to learn what God is telling us.

Humility . . . Total dependence . . . Complete honesty . . . No cover-ups . . . No games . . . No pride . . . No conditions . . . No deals.

Prayer of The Day

“Lord Jesus Christ, we would like to become childlike so that we can enter Your Kingdom. Purify our hearts, thoughts and actions to become like those of little children and thus become the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

Daily Note

 Little children are those innocent people who are ready to be taught. They will sit patiently beside you and attentively listen to what you have to say. Jesus wants us to behave likewise towards Him and His teachings.

Little children do not have preconceived opinions about something. They have no prejudice or bias towards a subject. They see something for what it is as opposed to how, in their opinion, it should be like. That is how Jesus tells us to accept Him, His teachings and His Kingdom as He teaches.

When you compare us grown-ups and little children, you will notice that grown-ups’ hearts, minds, bodies and souls have been tainted by the hustles and bustles of this evil world. Grown-ups tend to think bad things about others as opposed to children who always have good thoughts about others unless told otherwise by us grown-ups. They are very innocent and to them, love for others comes first and this is manifested well when you see them playing together regardless of their race, tribe, religion, social status etc. This changes when prejudice is forced into them by us grown-ups.

The humility of little children is always very overwhelming. They serve everybody regardless of their race, tribe, religion, social status etc. They do not discriminate against anybody.

Daily Reflection – 9/25/2020

Sacred Scripture

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Messiah of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.( Luke 9:18-22)

Reflection

At airports, at doctor’s offices, when cashing a check—so often we are asked to produce our ID. We routinely present our driver’s license or some other form of identification without a second thought. There it is: a card that says who you are.

But you also know that your identity doesn’t really exist on a card. Your identity exists in the web of relationships that defines you and sustains you: your parents, your siblings, your close friends, and your children. All of them have helped shape you in ways that no single card could ever contain!

Peter and the others have been following Jesus for some time now, and he has made an indelible mark on them. He has reshaped them to the point that they are committed to following him even to his death.

Just as it did for the first disciples, your answer will come from the kind of relationship you have with him. For example, if you say, “Jesus, you are Lord and Savior,” then you’ll do whatever he asks of you. If you say, “You are the way, the truth, and the life,” then you’ll be willing to follow him, even in dark times. If you say, “You are my friend,” then you will trust him in every situation.

What is the essence of following such a Messiah? To be willing to act like him. To be willing to suffer and die for the Gospel, so God can raise the person up on the last day. To be willing to become Christ-like and reject self-centered interests.

The daily cross should not be confused with daily troubles in life. The daily cross was the day by day commitment a Christian made to Jesus Christ. The daily cross was not suffering quietly through each day alone. The daily cross was to be like Simon the Cyrene, to help Christ and those in his Body carry the cross that leads to glory.

As you reflect on all of this, remember that when Jesus asks the question, he is also issuing you an invitation: Stay close to me. Immerse yourself in my love. Spend time with my followers. Your identity will continue to change, and you’ll become more and more faithful to me, just as Peter did.

Prayer of The Day

“Jesus, you are the Christ! Help me to find my true self in your love!”

Daily Note

To own Jesus as Messiah and Lord is at the very heart of Christianity. And that’s why Jesus zeroes in on this question with His disciples Two millennia later, we are asked the same question every day: “Do I really believe that Jesus is the Messiah?” Well, is He the hinge on which your whole life turns? Is your personal relationship with Him the decisive thing in your life? If so, then you do believe.

Sacred Scripture

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him. (Luke 9:7-9)

Reflection

Herod sought to meet Jesus more out of curiosity and fear than out of a sincere desire to know God’s will. He wanted to meet Jesus – not to follow him but to prevent him from troubling his conscience any further.

Our conscience is a constant in our lives. When it gnaws at our awareness, we may try to wish it away or we can try to rid ourselves of guilt and sin by suppressing the truth or by ridding ourselves of anyone or anything that points us to the truth. No power on earth, however, can remove a guilty conscience or free us from slavery to sin.

And that thought brings us to this reflection.

Whose voice and message do you follow? Does God’s word take priority in your daily life? Or do you allow other voices and messages to distract you or lead you astray?  If it’s the latter then what should you or I do when our conscience intrudes on our life style and reminds us that it is not in keeping with His way?

How can we find true peace with ourselves and with God? The Lord Jesus shows us the way. Jesus explained to his followers, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32). Only Jesus can set us free. If we listen to his voice and obey his word, we will find true peace, joy, and freedom to live as sons and daughters of God.

If we seek that path, if we walk that path, then we can be brought to the second message . . . living our lives as an example of a follower of Christ. Is that important to anyone other than God? Yes. It is and decidedly so.  Christians when we come in contact with the people whom we meet day in and day out. Our very lives can challenge the people with whom we come into contact day in and day out; not by preaching or lecturing but rather by the silent example of living His light on earth.

Very often, we do not realize how our example can influence or challenge the lives of others especially when our lives prick the conscience of those with whom we come in contact. It is not that you go out of your way to prick their conscience but by living your life according to the values of the Gospel, you can be doing that to some people and help them gradually to change for the better.

Are you just acting as a Christian or are you really living your life as a Christian? The Gospel reading today challenges us to make the values of the Gospel part of our life so that we will not seem just to be acting like a Christian in our daily lives but really living it.

Prayer of The Day

 “Heavenly Father, form in me the likeness of your Son and deepen his life within me that I may be like him in word and deed.  Increase my eagerness to do your will and help me to know the saving power of your love.”

Daily Note

I think Herod has been included as an anti-type.  He’s exactly who we’re not supposed to be.  He’s included so that we can be on our guard and sincerely ask ourselves “am I surrounding myself with poor or with reliable sources of information? Or, as far as it concerns Jesus, have I been surrounding myself with people who tell me what I want to hear about Him?  Do I really seek the truth about Jesus? Do I ‘kill’ His prophets when they call me to repentance and call me to prepare my heart for Him?  Or instead, do I prepare my heart and do I receive His emissaries with joy?”

Sacred Scripture

He summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6)

Reflection

Here are the 12 apostles in the second year of their apprenticeship with the greatest teacher of all. They know who He is because they have watched him perform miracles, seen people flock to His side and listened as His words transformed them and those around them.

But now comes the “double gulp.”

Jesus gathers them around and tells them they have all the power and the authority needed to perform good works (including miracles) in His name. And lest their selves become inflated with their authority, he teaches them about humility and about rejection.

He sent them in a manner that would require them to trust Him daily . . .  “take nothing for your journey” He asked them to do this task that was impossible by human means, taking nothing that would normally be thought necessary.

Trusting God to provide is fundamental to discipleship and mission. That’s hard. It’s easier for us to say: “Those were relatively primitive times. These days – with homes and mortgages and careers and commitments and a worldwide pandemic– you can’t live like that.”

Well, we can.

The Twelve had to leave behind everything essential to their lives. Letting everything go was as challenging for them as it would be for us.The Lord wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves. Poverty of spirit frees us from greed and preoccupation with possessions and makes ample room for God’s provision He wills to work in and through each of us for his glory.

Shaking the dust from our feet is a way of saying that we ought not allow the hurt we receive to affect us.  It’s a way of making a clear statement that we will not be controlled by the opinions and malice of others.  This is an important choice to make in life when facing rejection.

Secondly, it’s also  saying that we must keep moving on.  Not only do we have to get over any hurt we have, but we need to then move on to seek out those who will receive our love and our message of the Gospel.  Reflect, today, upon any hurt you still carry in your heart because of the rejection of others.  Try to let go of it and know that God is calling you to seek out others in love so that you can share the love of Christ with them.

The mission of these disciples and the mission of His church is all about engaging and proclaiming the gospel to other people. It is about serving and loving other people, it is about going out of our comfort zone to be a part of other people’s lives, and ultimately seeing other people come into relationship with God so that they may be a part of what He is doing in this world to restore all things to Himself.

Prayer of The Day

“Lord, make me a channel of your grace and healing love that others may find life and freedom in you.  Free me from all other attachments that I may joyfully pursue the things of heaven.  May I witness the joy of the gospel both in word and deed.”

Daily Note

The Twelve had to learn the hard way. They had to literally abandon all for the One who is all. Is it any different for us? I don’t think so. I think the Lord wants us to love Him and our neighbor unconditionally. To do so still requires a radical approach, like Francis of Assisi who stripped himself in public and was followed and loved by a multitude. Detachment from worldly goods can only be achieved if there is attachment on what is above! True love can only be given if true Love is received. Who I am is directly related to Who He is to me. The Twelve began to walk, to preach, to cure, to live life because they kneeled, listened and experienced a life that was lived to the full in Christ Jesus.

Sacred Scripture

Then his mother and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Luke 8:19-21)

Reflection

Are you interested in researching your family genealogy? We have you covered. Are you feeling alone because you have no family? We can help there. Are you searching for a better moral compass in a world that seems to have gone awry? Here is something that can be of great value.

The only hitch is that it’s quite expensive.

One brief preamble. This Gospel does not illustrate a diminishment of the blood family of Jesus. Jesus is quite aware of the blessing of being His own kin, part of His own family. For that reason, He makes this statement as a way of inviting everyone present to see themselves as an intimate member of His family. Jesus wants to invite all people to share His familial bond. 

Jesus tells us that the true definition of family has God as its Father and its children are those “who hear the word of God and act on it.” The family is not first and foremost determined by bonds of earthly kinship, but rather by the bonds of spiritual kinship formed by Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection for us and our salvation.

Understood in this light, this passage reveals a framework for an authentically human and relational spirituality, a spirituality of communion. We are made members of the very family of God through Jesus Christ and His saving Incarnation. We are his mothers, brothers and sisters, as we live His Word and walk in His Way.

The message is simple but profound; God is a God of love and relationship. He has invited us into an intimate and eternal communion of love. His spontaneous response is powerful: all men and women who do the will of God are His family, and each are related in the Spirit to each other. It is a beautiful proclamation to those hurting, isolated and longing for love and a call for men to recognize that all men are their brothers.

Ah, but there is a fee. Not for God’s love, that is eternal. But to be and remain a member of His family, there is a cost. It requires a total commitment to the will of God. That’s because when God speaks, His words are powerful and transforming. And acting on His words will change our lives.

Our hearts and minds must be blended and forged in the crucible of commitment to Christ. Our hearts and minds must reflect that in our words and our actions. Always. If we are willing to step forward, claiming to be part of that special family, then we change in the way we react to one another. No more disparaging other. Nope. No more diminishment of another. Nope. No more judging another. Nope. No more sarcasm or catty comments. Nope. No more differentiating another because he/she is different than we are. No more grudges, no more withholding forgiveness, no more anything that is contra to the love of Jesus Christ.

Reflect, today, upon the invitation of Jesus to be a member of His intimate family. Hear that invitation and say “Yes” to it. And as you say “Yes” to this invitation, be ready and willing to let His voice and His divine will change your life.

Prayer of The Day

“Lord, I accept Your invitation to become a member of Your intimate family. May I hear Your voice speak and act upon all that You say. Jesus, I trust in You. “

Daily Note

In these verses, Jesus gives to those with ears to hear and eyes to see, a key insight – familial relationships touch upon, model and make present an eternal mystery into which each of us who are baptized are invited –God’s family. Understanding this insight, and living it, is a key to the spiritual life.

Daily Reflection – 9/21/20

Sacred Scripture

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:9-13)

Reflection

Here are five lines of scripture that are powerful in their direction for our lives and our relationship with God.

The first message that jumps out is that Jesus invites all of us to share His presence in our lives, regardless of who we are, regardless of what we may have done in the past, or how confused our present life may be.  Jesus does not judge us or condemn us: instead he invites into His home, shares himself with us and invites us to share ourselves with Him.

Just as God, in Christ, has invited those on the margins into his home without judgement we are to invite people into the home of our church and our hearts without judgement, so that we can share His love with them. and encourage them to journey with us.

But judging others overtly or subconsciously is one of the down fallings of human kind. How quick we are to judge outward appearances, or to believe the gossip of others, or even worse to discriminate because of color, or gender, or bias. YET, we claim the label of Christian. Sorry, the two simply do not go together. No way, no shape, no how.

That also brings us to an institutional fault or even an institutional chasm. Too often, our churches tend to encourage us to stay focused on our beliefs and that means socializing only with those who adhere to our beliefs — to live in some sort of holy huddle as if mixing socially with those who do not think as we do will somehow infect our spirituality. But Jesus’ approach is the complete opposite. He is quite happy to host a dinner party for tax collectors, sinners and disciples – and he is quite happy for his disciples to mix socially with tax collectors and sinners.

I am reminded of a parish on the West Coast to which I was assigned. I asked the pastor about when the ministers in our town met together (a most common practice in the United States). The pastor replied that the ministers preferred not to. I was incredulous and asked why. He said that they believed our denominational differences were too great!! YET, we claim the label of Christian. Sorry, the two simply do not go together. No way, no shape, no how.

Finally, Jesus cuts through false religiosity. The Pharisees practiced an institutional form of religion. They were so intent on pursuing purity through obedience to their laws that they had forgotten the heart of their faith. He is reminding them and us that all the rituals and sacramentals are utterly meaningless unless we practice mercy and love and kindness and compassion towards others. The externals never compensate for lacking the commands of the love commands. YET, we claim the label of Christian. Sorry, the two simply do not go together. No way, no shape, no how.

Today let each of us embrace humility, love and mercy towards others just as Jesus has taught us. Let us prioritize our neighbors than ourselves and God in heaven will reward us in equal measure.

Prayer of The Day

“Lord Jesus Christ, You have taught us to be humble, loving and merciful to our neighbors. Strengthen our hearts and souls so that we may never waver away from this solemn call to unconditionally serve others from our hearts.”

Daily Note

It is important to examine the degree to which we see and judge everything in our life through the prism of faith. A true believer, a real apostle, must form this “sixth sense” in all of his/her daily dealings. We form this habit through prayer, our frequent and intimate contact with God. We need to ask God for the gift of faith, which gives us a new perspective on life.

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.( Luke 8:1-3)

Reflection

Century after century, women have had to fight for their rightful voice in society. Century after century, there have been examples of women who have helped change their society. Yet, if we return to the base line of Christianity, we see that it was the historical Jesus, through his welcoming and responding to women who taught  us much.

As he did with so many mores, rules and laws, he turned the traditional view upside down. He showed by example that society then was mistaken. In that society, women did not have the status of men and were denied basic rights.

Jesus defies these expectations in at least four ways, which have implications for us.

First, Jesus refused to treat women as inferior. Given the decidedly negative cultural view of women in Jesus’ time, the Gospel writers each testify to Jesus’ treating women with respect, frequently responding in ways that reject cultural norms. He recognizes their dignity, their desires and their gifts.

Second, Jesus refuses to view women as different. Women who had any flow of blood were considered ritually unclean. Anything or anyone she touched was deemed unclean. Jesus recognizes the dignity of women in situations that seem by ritual law to demand judgment, for example, the sinful woman who anoints Jesus (Luke 7:36-50) and that of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11).

Third, Jesus steps over expected boundaries between men and women by his acceptance of women as disciples. Unlike rabbis of his day, Jesus taught women about Scripture and his way of love.

Fourth, not only did Jesus have women disciples, but the Gospel writers also assure us that they were prominent recipients of Jesus’ self-revelation.

While we live in a time and culture far different from that of the historical Jesus, his way of welcoming and responding to women has much to teach us. And it is a sad commentary that this sentence is even written.

The fact is that men through the centuries have carved out a role for themselves that too often speaks of a distinction that separates them in a superior role. Yet, it is women who give men birth, nurture men, support them, provide emotional support, and in truth are the rocks upon which societies are built. The Christian Church itself was bounded by men and women whose faith was so strong that they gave their life for it.

Wherever we are in our life’s journey, there is but one teacher who will always show us the way. Then and now, Jesus Christ welcomed all of his children to His banquet and treated them with dignity, equality, respect and compassion. Can each of us say that we treat all we meet with the same?

Prayer of The Day

Lord, I am but one of your children. Help me always to respect that each person deserves my respect, compassion and dignity. Help me to realize that if I am to be a true follower there never can be any form of discrimination in my heart.

Daily Note

Jesus recognized that women had gifts for discipleship, and he was not afraid to call these women forth. Women today need to hear that the Christian Church recognizes their “leavening,” and welcomes their creativity and spirituality for the gifts that they can be to the “whole batch” that is our Church and our world.

Sacred Scripture

A certain 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; hence, 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.” (Luke 7:36-50)

Reflection

Today’s scripture is replete with several messages. For me, this a beautiful story of a hand extended in love met by a heart filled with love.

The “back story” of course begins with how rude Simon had been to Jesus from the time he entered his home. Notice the signs of respect that were not given to Jesus, as a respected guest in his host’s home. He was here judging Jesus.

But the sinful woman has heard of Jesus. She has probably heard his teaching. She has heard his gracious words of God’s love and forgiveness and healing and restoration.Her self-image is tattered and ragged. She is shunned by the best people and used and abused by the worst. Yes, she is still broken, but now she can see light and hope beyond.

Jesus, the ultimate source of love, sees her heart and recognizes her need for forgiveness. He doesn’t judge. He doesn’t put her in a category or attach a label. He recognizes a person who needs forgiveness so that she can move on with her life.

Our Lord’s loving treatment of both the woman and of Simon displays a remarkable balance of kindness. He carefully avoids the opposite extremes of condemnation and indifference to others’ sins. The reason Our Lord is able to offer hope and consolation to the repentant sinner as well as to invite the proud with a gentle call to repentance is that Christ will die for both. In this we see Christ’s goodness. He comes to save us all, but we must choose to accept his goodness.

Christ stands before each of us, and offers us his friendship. The more we accept His offer, the more we are transformed to become what we are meant to be. His offer of friendship is accepted by opening our hearts to allow Jesus in without fear or obstacles. Accepting Jesus’ friendship empowers us to do what others would never dream possible for us. We are asked to put aside our judgement and labels. We are called to be God’s hands now, hands to comfort and welcome the sinner or someone who may have offended us; we are God’s heart now—hearts to love and forgive and refuse to hang on to bitterness. The divine within us calls us to understand one another so we can forgive and then be free to love. A contemporary poet puts the question to us with these words: “Is there anyone we wouldn’t love if only we knew their story?” “Is there anyone we wouldn’t forgive if only we knew their story?”

 Accepting Jesus as our friend, frees us from baggage of the past, so that we can live the life of Jesus fully now.

Prayer of The Day

“Lord Jesus, your grace is sufficient for me. Fill my heart with love and gratitude for the mercy you have shown to me and give me joy and freedom to love and serve others with kindness and respect.”

Daily Note

“Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Those last three words are just as important as the others. Go in peace. They express the great gift of forgiveness – freedom, the freedom to be whole, to be at peace with oneself and one’s community. We’re no longer bound by guilt or shame; we’re no longer bound by holding on to the righteousness of someone else having hurt us. Henri Nouwen calls it “the freedom to move on.”