Daily Readings - Thu Sep 17 2020
1 Corinthians
1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.9For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve 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 to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.11Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
Luke
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume,38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner."40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you.Tell me, teacher," he said.41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.You have judged correctly," Jesus said.44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"50Jesus 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.