11th Sunday C/ Prostitute washed feet of Jesus/Fathers day
 

2 Samuel 12:7-10,13 / Ps 32/ Gal. 2:16-21/ Lk. 7:36-8:3
  Introduction
 

          There was an old shoemaker who once wished to become a priest but was not given a chance. Later he found a friend; a young theologian.  And when the seminarian was called for ordination and ready for the mission, the old man asked him a favor. He asked to be allowed to make his shoes always, so that he might feel as if he was always with the preacher, whenever he wears his shoes into which he could never go himself.

  
  Background
 
  1. In the end of the Gospel we have the list of women whose help was practical. Being women, they were not allowed to preach; but they were allowed to give whatever gifts they had for the work of God. It was always considered to be a pious act to support a Rabi. These women served Jesus and his apostles out of their resources and that made them preachers as well.

  2. We also have to note the Jewish kind of hospitality. When a guest entered a house three things were always done. [1] The host placed his hand on the guest’s shoulder and gave him the kiss of peace. That was a mark of respect which was never omitted in the case of a distinguished Rabbi. [2] The roads were filled with dusts and they were only wearing sandals, so it was always good to pour water over the guest’s feet to cleanse and comfort them. [3] Either a pinch of sweet-smelling incense was burned or a drop of attar of roses was placed on the guest’s head. These things of good manners were demanded by a guest, and in this case not one of them was done for Jesus.

  3. In the East the guests did not sit, but reclined, at table. They lay on low couches, resting on the left elbow, leaving the right arm free, with the feet stretched out behind; and during the meal the sandals were taken off. That explains how the woman was standing beside Jesus’ feet, and was able to wash it with her tears and wiped it with her hair. The Pharisees were scandalized when they saw Jesus dealing with a sinful woman. For them sin was contagious that’s why nobody should touch a sinner, or else you will also be unclean. But Jesus defended the woman and his act of dealing with her by saying: “For those much was forgiven, the more they should be thankful to the Lord.”
 
  Reflection:  
 
  1. One thing which shuts a man off from God is self-sufficiency. Simon’s impression of himself was that he has everything and he was a good man in the sight of men and of God. Simon was conscious of no need and therefore felt no love, and so received no forgiveness. The greatest of sins is to be conscious of no sin. A sense of sin will open the door to the forgiveness. The woman was conscious of nothing else than a great need for God’s forgiveness, and therefore was overwhelmed with love for him who could supply it, and so received forgiveness.

  2. In the Gospel story, the woman wanted forgiveness. She knew that her act was not sufficient to earn her salvation and forgiveness. But Jesus, in seeing her faith and love and her willingness to accept forgiveness, simply announced that whatever she asked for was already hers. Her tears then were that of gratitude. In the second reading; while we cannot “earn” or “merit” our salvation, but we do have a choice to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and open up our hearts to his offered forgiveness. It is God’s free gift and generosity to share to us his salvation.

  3. It is good to count our blessings before going to bed. It’s nice to feel the goodness of God before we close our eyes in asleep. But every blessing demands a response. A response of gratitude to the greatness and goodness of God. Unfortunately there are moments that I feel ashamed of myself when instead of gratitude I offered him my sinfulness and unfaithfulness.  The same with David in the first reading, he received many blessings from God. He became Israel’s greatest warrior and king but instead of thanking him, he offended God by his act of murder and adultery. “The better a man is, the more he should try to be good and faithful to him.”
  
  Conclusion  
 

        We might think of Jesus as someone who did not need of any help, basically because he is God and he can do miracles anytime. But in this Gospel we saw Jesus and his apostles’ dependent on women’s help who were supplying them of all their material needs. As we honor all the fathers today, we might think of them as “macho” strong type of men who do not need any help. But ironically fathers experience “down” moments too. I hope whenever they fell “low and frustrated” may they always find a wife to embrace them and children to support and love them. Happy Father’s day!