September 16, 2010
Memorial of Saint Cornelius, pope and martyr, and Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr
For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God (that is) with me. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10
“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 7:41-43
Piety
Jesus, I am what I am just like Paul is what he is and the sinful woman is what she is. Your love and forgiveness will help me rise above my nature and imitate your example. I am not fit to be your follower. Give me the grace of Paul and Simon so that I might judge rightly and follow you. Amen.
Study
Paul is the sinful woman and the man with teh greater debt. Just like she showed great love when her sins were forgiven, Paul/Saul showed great love when he was forgiven for his sins committed when he persecuted the early Christians.
A persecutor like Saul may have appeared to be disqualified from apostleship, but in fact God's grace has qualified him. His experience is mirrored in the parable of the two debtors as well as in the comparison between the Pharisee and the sinful woman.
How do we react to Jesus’ ministry? Are we like the Pharisee who invites Jesus into our lives only to act with self-righteousness? Or are we like the woman who recognizes her sinful nature? Her reaction to the forgiveness was to shower Jesus in her love and tears.
Action
His action (love/forgiveness) is a consequence of her faith in seeking out Jesus. Her action (love/praise) is the consequence of His forgiveness. What behavior is Jesus trying to help us to rise above? Gossip? Greed? Selfishness? Use his love as your ticket away from such behavior. In His love is the strength we need to break the bounds of old habits.
