Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
“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.” Luke 7:40–43
This conversation between Jesus and Simon the Pharisee takes place while Jesus is at Simon’s home, reclining at table for a meal. A sinful woman entered the scene unannounced. With the utmost humility and love, she anointed Jesus’ feet with perfumed oil, washed His feet with her tears, kissed them and dried them with her hair. She clearly was not concerned about what the people present thought and said about her. Her only concern was to show her love and affection for Jesus with the utmost humility.
Jesus shows His divinity by reading Simon’s thoughts. Simon was indignant toward both the woman and Jesus. He was critical and judgmental. And though Simon didn’t say anything, Jesus was aware of his internal attitude, which is why He spoke this parable to Simon.
First of all, it must be understood that we all owe a debt to God. We have all sinned and can never repay our debt of sin. Some have sinned greatly, others less seriously. But every person is in debt to God and no one, by their own merit, is able to pay back their debt. Simon failed to realize this and failed to have gratitude for God’s mercy in his own life, which is why he acted with such self-righteousness.
About this woman, Jesus went on to say that “her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love.” And then He added, “But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” This tells us that God is not primarily concerned with the number of sins that need to be forgiven in our lives. Be it little or great, sin is all a debt that cannot be repaid. Instead, God’s primary interest is the loving gratitude we show Him by realizing how much He has done for us.
This story teaches a very important lesson to those who generally live good lives and avoid serious sin. For those who live this way, there will be both a temptation to judge others, expressing indignation at their sins, and to also lack the appropriate gratitude for the forgiveness God has given them. Simon the Pharisee could have learned much from this sinful woman. He should have humbled himself before Jesus when Jesus entered his house. He should have expressed his deepest gratitude toward our Lord for His mercy and forgiveness. And he should have acknowledged his unworthiness to receive this gift from Jesus. Because he failed to do this and the sinful woman didn’t, she was the one who was far more blessed than Simon. Furthermore, as Simon witnessed the act of mercy Jesus offered to this woman, his heart should have rejoiced at being able to witness such love.
Reflect, today, upon the humble fact that we are all called to imitate this sinful woman. Each and every one of us has a debt that we cannot repay. The only appropriate response is to see our debt, humbly offer it to our Lord, beg for His mercy, and then express our deepest gratitude and love for the gift we have been given. Humble yourself this day and always. Do not become judgmental or indignant at the sins of others. Finally, rejoice as you see God lavish His mercy on you and upon all.
Most generous Lord, You show mercy and compassion to all. May I always be fully aware of all that You have done for me and respond with a deep and loving gratitude. May I also see Your love and mercy offered to others and rejoice as they receive You into their lives. Jesus, I trust in You.
“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.” Luke 7:40–43
This conversation between Jesus and Simon the Pharisee takes place while Jesus is at Simon’s home, reclining at table for a meal. A sinful woman entered the scene unannounced. With the utmost humility and love, she anointed Jesus’ feet with perfumed oil, washed His feet with her tears, kissed them and dried them with her hair. She clearly was not concerned about what the people present thought and said about her. Her only concern was to show her love and affection for Jesus with the utmost humility.
Jesus shows His divinity by reading Simon’s thoughts. Simon was indignant toward both the woman and Jesus. He was critical and judgmental. And though Simon didn’t say anything, Jesus was aware of his internal attitude, which is why He spoke this parable to Simon.
First of all, it must be understood that we all owe a debt to God. We have all sinned and can never repay our debt of sin. Some have sinned greatly, others less seriously. But every person is in debt to God and no one, by their own merit, is able to pay back their debt. Simon failed to realize this and failed to have gratitude for God’s mercy in his own life, which is why he acted with such self-righteousness.
About this woman, Jesus went on to say that “her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love.” And then He added, “But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” This tells us that God is not primarily concerned with the number of sins that need to be forgiven in our lives. Be it little or great, sin is all a debt that cannot be repaid. Instead, God’s primary interest is the loving gratitude we show Him by realizing how much He has done for us.
This story teaches a very important lesson to those who generally live good lives and avoid serious sin. For those who live this way, there will be both a temptation to judge others, expressing indignation at their sins, and to also lack the appropriate gratitude for the forgiveness God has given them. Simon the Pharisee could have learned much from this sinful woman. He should have humbled himself before Jesus when Jesus entered his house. He should have expressed his deepest gratitude toward our Lord for His mercy and forgiveness. And he should have acknowledged his unworthiness to receive this gift from Jesus. Because he failed to do this and the sinful woman didn’t, she was the one who was far more blessed than Simon. Furthermore, as Simon witnessed the act of mercy Jesus offered to this woman, his heart should have rejoiced at being able to witness such love.
Reflect, today, upon the humble fact that we are all called to imitate this sinful woman. Each and every one of us has a debt that we cannot repay. The only appropriate response is to see our debt, humbly offer it to our Lord, beg for His mercy, and then express our deepest gratitude and love for the gift we have been given. Humble yourself this day and always. Do not become judgmental or indignant at the sins of others. Finally, rejoice as you see God lavish His mercy on you and upon all.
Most generous Lord, You show mercy and compassion to all. May I always be fully aware of all that You have done for me and respond with a deep and loving gratitude. May I also see Your love and mercy offered to others and rejoice as they receive You into their lives. Jesus, I trust in You.
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