DO YOU SEE THIS WOMAN…

1 Timothy 4:12-16

12 Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.13 Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching.
14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you.
15 Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.16 Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Luke 7:36-50

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and took his place at table.37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,
38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner. “40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “What is it, Teacher?”
41 “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42 When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”
50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

 
MEDITATION

St PAUL encourages young Timothy that he not allow the community to undermine his authority because of his youthful appearance and secondly he is called to be exemplary in his personal conduct by remaining committed in his duties to hand on the faith through reading, teaching the scripture and preaching  the word! It certainly appear that Timothy has became somewhat slack, hence he is reminded that he is not a self ordained minister, but that his office has been given him by the elders or bishopric of the Church who ordained him!

St LUKE’S GOSPEL take us to a dinner event that our Lord and Simon Peter have been invited to by a Pharisee. Present at this occasion was “a woman of the city,” a prostitute who began to anoint Jesus! Simon Peter were ostensibly much annoyed and perhaps embarrassed by this scene which led our Lord to address him by way of telling him a story about a creditor. Our Lord does a comparative analysis to illustrate that those who have committed grievous mortal sins, have much to be forgiven and in all likelihood they will have a greater measure of love and devotion to Him, whereas a person who sought forgiveness for ‘minor’ or venial sins will likely be lukewarm in how they live the faith.

The sins of this weeping woman were unveiled which transformed and brought her to tears upon her witnessing Christs glory (2 Cor 3:18) and being in His presence! She realized that she had sinfully degraded herself which opened her eyes to His divinity and caused her to place her faith in Him and to anoint Him to be the king of her life. Like this woman, may we prayerfully recognize our sinfulness and be transformed by Christ, when we look upon Him during the consecration of the holy substances when His body and blood is elevated by the priest for us to adore, worship and behold in the Sacrifice of Holy Mass.

LET US PRAY:Psalms 111:7-10

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
8 they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast.