Canonization of Mother Marie Eugenie
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gospel reflection
eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 17, 2007
2 Samuel 12: 7 - 10, 13
Galatians 2: 16, 19 - 21
Luke 7: 36 - 8:3
A hospitable person...
The Gospel scene presents a Pharisee, a woman and Jesus. Simon, the Pharisee, known for his obedience to the Law and his desire to take distance from sinners, considers himself pure. The woman is known in the city as a sinner. Simon believed that Jesus was a prophet.
So here are three persons clearly identified: a just man, a sinner and a prophet. The event, however, does not mirror the same order. How can Jesus accept being touched by a sinner? And, if he doesn’t know who the woman is, then he can’t be a prophet! Quite a disconcerting situation for those who like to have everything classified with the right label.
As for David, in the first reading, didn’t he need the gaze of Nathan in order to recognize himself as a sinner? And ourselves? Are we not tempted to label others, placing them in determined categories? Maybe some of us are invited to see others and ourselves in a new way.
The texts reveal something more concerning God and humans. Jesus does not deny the situation of the sinner woman but reveals that her love is the sign of the forgiveness of her sins, of her reconciliation with God. Humans are not capable of pulling themselves out of the realm of sin and entering the realm of grace by their own strength, but are called to welcome the gift of God. The attitude of the woman bears witness to her gratitude towards the one who gifted her with the forgiveness of God. Let us enter into this same thanksgiving and confess with Paul: “while I live in the flesh, I live in faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." The anonymous character of the woman makes her the example of those who know that they need the mercy of God.
- Sr. Sophie Ramond, RA
