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Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Luke 7:36-50
After praying over today's scriptures, I realized, Lord Jesus one gift I think I must ask from you especially now I am already old: the grace of self-composure, of being at home with my self, of being comfortable with my true self.
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. The 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” (Luke 7:36-39).
Lord Jesus, "mahihiya po ako - sa aking sarili, sa inyo at sa iba pang naroon kung nasaksihan ko po ito ng personal."
It was not an embarrassing moment actually but why all the reactions of Simon and his guests who were his fellow Pharisees? Because the woman was so truthful, sincere and honest; she did not mind at all the spectacle, the respected people around when she did a public contrition of her sins to Christ; it is not really about us imitating her but imitating you, Jesus who was never bothered by that sinful woman in coming to you, washing your feet with her tears, wiping them dry with her hair, and anointing with oiled perfume.
You were so free, Jesus, from what others may say being approached and touched by a sinner as Simon had thought; you were so free, Jesus, to focus solely with the woman and appreciate her kindness; you were so free, Jesus, to forgive her for all her sins after admitting her own sinfulness, so unlike the others present there, judging the woman, casting doubts on you, Jesus especially after you have forgiven her sins.
There are times, Lord, despite the presence of other people, I am so absorbed with my self that most often I am suspicious of what others are thinking of me that I cannot truly listen and understand their words because I am so insecure with myself; truly, the more I talk of others, the more I talk of myself!
Teach me, Jesus to be comfortable with my self, to be at home with my true self, to be at home with my self so that I may truly express myself to you, Lord; teach me to be like St. Paul who had no any insecurity at all in claiming himself to be "the least of the Apostles" being the persecutor of the early Christians; teach me to be comfortable with my true self so that I may focus more on your abounding grace bestowed on me despite everything so that like you I may focus more on those needing your loving presence and grace. Amen.
