Verbum Dei UK

2 Sam 12:7-10,13 . Galatians 2:16,19-21 . Luke 7:36-8:3 .

MEDITATION:

The readings this Sunday praise the mercy of God. He even accepts us as his sons and daughters!

The Pharisee reckoned that Jesus should have known that the woman had been a sinner, and of course Jesus did know, but he knew much more. He knew that she had woken up to the merciful love of God and that she had a humble loving heart and in that sense had the potential to become a very good woman. Remember that the ex-prostitute Mary of Magdala became 'Saint Mary Magdalene' (mentioned as a companion of Jesus at the end of today's Gospel). In the first reading the prophet tells of the fact that King David's sin (organizing a man's death as a soldier so that he could have his widowed wife) was known to God and yet forgiven by God. David then became even more successful. And the second reading is of Paul praising the fact that he had been healed of his official 'Judaism', he had actually persecuted Christians.

Of course sin upsets Christ, but his merciful love is much stronger. It's relevant that the person that first saw the angel outside the empty tomb was the ex-prostitute of Magdala (Matthew 28 ). In the Old Testament when Joshua sent two guys to 'reconnoiter' the land near Jericho (as spies), the guys used the house of a harlot (Rahab) in order to fulfill their secret mission (Josh 2:1 ). And it's relevant that the ones who had condemned Jesus to his awful death had been the official dignified Jews!

Official Judaism made the mistake of reducing man's relationship with God to a matter of obeying the rules of religious practice. They call it 'the law'. What God longs for is true love, so Jesus went through his passion on Calvary precisely as a way of winning our hearts from a cold fulfilment of rules without love. St Paul was a very educated leader of Jews but he eventually turned the corner to Christianity with thanks: 'Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, 'Cursed be everyone who gets tied to the tree'' (Gal 3:13 ).

Asking for pardon needs humility and the Trinity long for that in their family. They would like if people weren't trying to think of excuses for their own failings and trying to criticize others for theirs, but rather trying to overcome their own failings and to help heal others with love! There's a lot for the Trinity to criticize but they choose to pardon (per-donar 'give more than is owed'). They want to cure us of those 'demonic' accusers. The best way to thank them for their merciful love is by imitating them. In fact we should respect the fact that all of our brothers and sisters have the potential to become very loving people… 'living Christs' (Gal 2:20 - 'It's no longer I but Christ who lives in me').

The call to be forgivers may at times be very challenging, especially whenever someone has done you harm, so it's fundamental that we don't just accept it as a challenge, but rather that we marvel at the way Christ has forgiven us... and has invited us to an Eternal Life in heaven. It's something that none of us won for themselves. It's precisely because of that knowledge that the ancient Christians made a big impact on the public of ancient Rome. They were known as 'the forgivers'!

The sinful woman today kisses the feet of Jesus with tears of thanks. Wouldn't it be great if we humbly appreciated that we've sinned also, ("I confess to almighty God..."), and then celebrate 'Eucharist' ('thanksgiving'), and then receive communion in our mouths as if kissing Christ with tears of thanks.

Please forgive me for any spelling mistakes… and for my other ones too!

…………… Dara.

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