Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: That the darkness of stigma, exclusion, and marginalization might be dispelled by the light of understanding, acceptance, and respect for the dignity of every person.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 7:36-50
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. Then 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.” Jesus said to him in reply, “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.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
From the Tenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Your zeal for the children you instruct would not go very far and would not have much of a result or success if it were limited only to words. To make it effective, your example must support your instructions, and this is one of the main signs of your zeal.
This is also the way that our Lord acted, of whom it is said that he began to do and then to teach. Speaking to his Apostles after he had washed their feet, he says, I have given you an example, so that you may do as I have done to you.
Prayer
Eternal Father, Jesus taught us that the heart of your law is mercy. We pray today that we always will be merciful. Help us to never be indifferent to each other’s pain or suffering. May we always treat each other with patience and compassion, concerned not so much for ourselves as for the needs and healing of others. Teach us to be your instruments of peace, healing, forgiveness, and justice in this world. We ask this of you who live and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.