Wednesday, September 18, 2013

September 19, 2013



Lectionary: 446
Reading 1 1 TM 4:12-16

Beloved:
Let no one have contempt for your youth,
but set an example for those who believe,
in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Age does not equate to wisdom.  Although St. Timothy was try young when St. Paul appointed him Bishop, he was still fully capable of handling the responsibilities of the position.  Therefore, St. Paul admonished not to allow anyone to look down on him because of his age.  But to continue preaching the faith in earnestness and purity.
Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching.
Do not neglect the gift you have,
which was conferred on you through the prophetic word
with the imposition of hands by the presbyterate.
St. Timothy had received the wisdom of the Holy Spirit by the imposition of the hands of the Apostles, who are the Priests of the New Testament and who pass on this ministry by the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them,
so that your progress may be evident to everyone.
St. Paul admonishes him to be completely absorbed in the teaching of the Word of God in order that he may continually improve and be recognized as a teacher of the Gospel.
Attend to yourself and to your teaching;
persevere in both tasks,
for by doing so you will save 
both yourself and those who listen to you.
This is important because we see, that by our conduct and by obeying the Teaching of the Church, we can save our souls and the souls of those who follow our example.

Responsorial Psalm PS 111:7-8, 9, 10

R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!

The works of his hands are faithful and just;
sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
wrought in truth and equity.

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
prudent are all who live by it.
His praise endures forever.

R. How great are the works of the Lord!
We must fear the Lord as much as we love the Lord.  Understand full well that the Lord is not a toy.  If you make a promise to Him, keep it.  It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb 10:31).

Gospel LK 7:36-50

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,
and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
A religious leader of the Jews invited Jesus to eat dinner with him.
Now there was a sinful woman in the city
who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
A certain sinful woman learned about Jesus' whereabouts and came to see Him.  This woman is reputed to be Mary of Magdala, whom we now refer to as St. Mary Magdalene.
Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she washed his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
Dried them with her hair.
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
Kissed them and rubbed them with perfumed oil.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner.”
The leader of the Jews was outraged.  He doubted that Jesus was a prophet of God because he was permitting this sinful woman to touch him.
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”
Then Jesus asked the Pharisee a question.
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“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.”
His question was thus.  Two people owe a man a  large sum of money to the same man.  One greater than the other.  The man forgives them both.  Which one will love the man more?  The Pharisee responded that the one who was forgiven more.
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“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;

hence, she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

Then Jesus responded, the parable is about you and this woman.  She has shown great love to me.  You have shown me very little love.  Therefore, her many sins are forgiven.

He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Then Jesus turned to the woman and said, "Your sins are forgiven, go in peace."  And the people present were left wondering, "who forgives sin but God alone?"  Thus Jesus gave them another indication of His divinity.

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