Daily Readings - Thu Sep 17 2020
1 Corinthians
1Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,2and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.8Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.9For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.11Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Luke
36One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table.37And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,38and 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.39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, 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."40And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher."41"A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.42When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?"43Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly."44Then 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.45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little."48And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."49Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?"50And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on God's grace and forgiveness. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Paul emphasizes the core of the Gospel: Christ's death for our sins and His resurrection. He humbly acknowledges his unworthiness due to past persecution but credits God's grace for his transformation. This passage underscores the resurrection's significance as the cornerstone of our faith.
In the Gospel from Luke 7:36-50, Jesus dines with a Pharisee, where a sinful woman anoints His feet. While the Pharisee judges her, Jesus teaches that greater forgiveness leads to greater love. He forgives the woman, highlighting that her faith and love have saved her. This story contrasts the Pharisee's judgment with Jesus' mercy, illustrating God's boundless forgiveness.
Both readings connect through themes of grace and forgiveness. Paul's unworthiness and the woman's sins are met with divine mercy, emphasizing that salvation comes through faith and grace, not merit. In daily life, this calls us to recognize our sinfulness, accept God's forgiveness, and live gratefully, showing love and compassion to others. The moral lesson is one of humility and trust in God's mercy, allowing His grace to transform us. Loving much, as the woman did, stems from recognizing the depth of our forgiveness. Let us embrace this grace and live transformed lives, reflecting God's love in all we do.