Daily Readings - Thu Sep 17 2020
1 Corinthians
1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet 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 which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.11Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
Luke
36And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; 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.