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Gospel Reading for September 19, 2024 – Luke 7: 36-50
GRATITUDE
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.”
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A lot of us probably think that when we go to confession, and we receive the absolution from the priest, it is a guarantee that our sins are forgiven. What is needed for us to be forgiven? It is TRUE CONTRITENESS and willingness to do reparation. How can we be forgiven if we are not remorseful of the sins we have committed? The Sacrament of Reconciliation, like all the other sacraments are not mere rituals. It reconciles us to the Father through Jesus (John 20: 23). Therefore, if we are not truly contrite or remorseful, how can reconciliation be possible? THERE IS NOTHING TO RECONCILE.
The fruit of forgiveness is GRATITUDE. The greater the sins that are forgiven, the greater the GRATITUDE. It is this that will teach us to avoid repeating the same sins, knowing that we are given a valuable chance to be reunited with God.
Lord, may we always recognize and accept what we do wrong against you and others, and be truly contrite when asking you for your forgiveness!
