SCRIPTURE FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
                                    11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING: 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13
     In today’s First Reading, King David is confronted with his sins of murder and adultery.  David, chosen by God to be King of Israel, had offended God by committing adultery with Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, a soldier doing battle for Israel against the Ammonites.  To compound this sin, David tries to cover up his adultery.  When he fails, he orders that Uriah be moved to a part of the battle where death was certain.
     God sends his prophet, Nathan, to confront King David.  He is reminded of how God has been the source of all his good fortunes and has protected him.  In repayment, David has given in to his lust, committing adultery and murder.  David acknowledges his guilt, and the prophet Nathan assures him that he will not die for his sins.  However, Nathan does not say that there will be no punishment for his behavior.  David has been chosen by God and bestowed with blessings but he is still accountable to God’s law.
    Today’s first reading contains a powerful lesson for all of us.  It highlights the weakness of our human nature whether we are beggars or kings. More important, however, it shows the infinite love and mercy of God our Father when one is truly repentant.  Once David recognized that he had sinned, he was remorseful.  Psalm 51 is traditionally recognized as David’s prayer of repentance: “Against you alone have I sinned...A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit...(v. 6 & 12)”  God recognizes a sincere heart and waits ever so patiently for sinners to return to him, no matter what the offense.  Our God is an awesome God!

SECOND READING: GALATIANS 2:16, 19-21
     In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul’s message is that Christ has earned heaven for us.  He alone has opened the gates of heaven.  We are not to focus our earthly actions to merit heaven, but are to focus on God’s saving actions.  Jesus’ death and resurrection has brought us the gift of eternal life.  Our justification comes through faith in Christ.  Jesus was obedient to the will of God.  He faithfully handed himself over to be put to death on the cross and thus gained salvation for all mankind.
     Israel believed that God delivered his law to Moses.  This law was a guide that pointed out the will of God.  Paul argued that strict obedience to the law by itself could not justify (“being in the right with God”).  Those who commit themselves in faith to Jesus will be saved.  By our faith in Jesus, we will live for God.  Paul then tells the Galatians that his joining in faith with Jesus is so complete that he, Paul, no longer lives.      It is now the power and life of Christ that lives in him.
     His faith and love of Christ now motivate him and determine his actions and attitudes.  Paul states that nothing we can do will save us; not all our prayers, good works, or obedience to the law can justify us.  Only faith in Christ can guide us safely into eternal life.  “Believe in me, trust in me,” Christ repeatedly reminds us.  Let us pray that God will guide us away from an attitude of having to earn his love to one of complete trust in his love.  The Holy Spirit, which was given apart from the works of the law, and whom we receive by faith, will help deepen our trust in God.  Perhaps then we, also, can claim, “...it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me (v. 20).”

GOSPEL: LUKE 7:36-8:3
     God is a compassionate God.  In the scene that comprises today’s Gospel, Simon the Pharisee has invited Jesus to his home.  During the meal, an uninvited woman entered the house and made her way to Jesus.  We are told that she was a known sinner, although we are not told the nature of her sins.  She proceeds with an extravagant show of love towards Jesus by washing his feet with her tears, drying them with her hair, followed by anointing of his feet with expensive oils.
     Simon, the Pharisee, silently criticizes her and Jesus.  Jesus is able to read Simon’s unspoken thoughts.  Jesus tells Simon a parable about forgiveness which leads Simon to understand this woman’s action of repentance.  This woman is overjoyed at having been forgiven and is demonstrating her love and gratitude.  Simon, on the other hands, for all his scrupulous observance of the law has not even offered the basic requirements of hospitality.  Jesus assures the woman that her sins have been forgiven.
     The theme of sin, repentance, forgiveness and service are seen in the readings for this Sunday.  Even the most heinous crime can be forgiven if the repentant sinner is sincere and truly remorseful.  One can never ‘earn’ forgiveness through prayer and good works.  God alone sees the true heart of a person; and only he can forgive sins.  We can never repay God for his great mercy towards us, but often times many are compelled towards service of others in gratitude for the compassion shown them.  Let us pray that we may be healed of any self-righteous attitudes, rejoice in the love and compassion that Christ showers upon us, and then extend that same love to those around us, in imitation of Christ.  Amen! 

-Sunday, June 13, 2010