11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s
readings deal with sin and forgiveness. The first reading from the Book of
Samuel presents us with what is perhaps the most shameful deed in the entire
Bible. I'm surprised that the makers of the famous TV series, "The
Sopranos," never thought to use the story of King David and Uriah the
Hittite as the basis for an episode. We only get the tail end in today's verses
but if you read the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Book of Samuel you
will get the whole story.
It
is the famous account of David and Bathsheba. It begins with lust and degenerates
into betrayal and murder when David orders Bathsheba's husband Uriah, one of
his most loyal and dedicated soldiers, to be killed. David's sin is especially
despicable because he had previously been given so much by the Lord. He had
literally come from nowhere for he was the least of his father's many sons, a
mere shepherd. Nevertheless, he was picked to lead his people and become their
King.
As
the reading indicates, David had everything. He had been saved from death at
the hands of Saul, the previous King, and had been given all of Saul's
possessions even his palace and many wives. In those days the Israelites
especially their leaders could have many wives as well as concubines. Still,
for David, like so many of the rich and famous, it was not enough. He set his
eyes on a poor soldier's wife and the results were tragic.
I
would like to guess that David never realized that all of his success and
achievements were the result of his faith in God until he and his family
suffered the consequences of his sin.
St.
Luke's gospel account today presents us with another sinner--the sinful woman
who anoints our Lord with oil, and washes his feet with her tears. In this
touching and meaningful story our Lord tells the woman that her "sins are
forgiven." Then he tells her, "Your faith has saved you, go in
peace."
What
did our Lord mean? It is clear that He uses the woman as an example not only to
the Pharisee who invited Him for dinner but also to us. It was the woman's
faith that led her to perform the basic works of hospitality that the Pharisee
had omitted to perform for his guest. Pharisees prided themselves on their
strict adherence to all the practices required by the Law.
This
incident with the woman will help us to understand what St. Paul is talking
about in today's second reading. For us today justification is a word that has
lost much of its meaning. When St. Paul introduces the concept of "justification
by faith", it just conjures up theological controversies of long ago. What
is justification? What is faith? What are works? Is there a conflict between
faith and works?
Although
St. Paul always stressed the importance of faith, no one worked harder for
those entrusted to his care. After listing all the trials and tribulations he
had endured in his missionary endeavors, he concluded with these words.
I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the
churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel week? Who is led into sin, and I do
not inwardly burn?
The
best way to understand the relationship between faith and works is to turn to
the gospels.
In
today's gospel the woman, despite her sinful status, performs the basic work of
hospitality. Our Lord's words to the Pharisee are addressed to us.
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
because
she has shown great love.
Time
and time again in the gospels our Lord urges us to do the work. Those who do
the work are the ones of great faith and love. They are the justified who can
go in peace.
###
Reading 1. 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13
Reading II. Galatians 2:16, 19-20
Gospel. Luke 7:36--8:3, (the sinful woman).
