All the readings for today point to an overwhelming truth
that no matter how sinful and broken we are, God is able to do wonders for us.
In today’s 1st reading Paul said that he is the least of the Apostles or not
even fit to be called an apostle and yet he became what he is, all because of
the tremendous grace of God. We should focus on the greatness of God’s power
and never underestimate or overlook what He is able to do for us. To all of us
who are fellow believers in Jesus Christ, it feels good to read and be reminded
of something that we should always hold on to more than our own precious lives,
that is the Word of God. We should always have this attitude of always
consulting and presenting to God all our plans in prayer for guidance and
direction, especially at times when we are confronted with difficult life
decisions. If we do this God will surely not refrain from helping us.
Everything that we needed to work on would be one by one complied with and
fulfilled despite our doubts and inadequacies. The Catholic Church guides the
faithful to make decisions that are in line with her teachings. In this time
when we are assailed by various anti life choices obviously influenced by the
culture of death we need to listen and know well what kind of activities we
engage in and be an active advocate of life. NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural
Procreative Technology) is a breakthrough in science that the Catholic Church
approves and recommends over artificial contraception and conception. It utilizes the wonders of the human body and
assists it in the natural way. It is a
major breakthrough in monitoring and maintaining a woman's reproductive and
gynecological health and a new women's health science that monitors and
maintains a woman's reproductive and gynecological health. It provides medical
and surgical treatments that cooperate completely with the reproductive system.
Thirty years of scientific research in the study of the normal and abnormal
states of the menstrual and fertility cycles have unraveled their mysteries.
Unlike common suppressive or destructive approaches, it works cooperatively
with the procreative and gynecologic systems. When these systems function
abnormally, it identifies the problems and cooperates with the menstrual and
fertility cycles that correct the condition, maintain the human ecology, and
sustain the procreative potential. Women now have an opportunity to know and
understand the causes of the symptoms from which they suffer. This is effective
and based in science. It does not in any way disrupt the normal and natural
functions of the wonderful human body that God has given us. It promotes the
profound dignity of a person while being provided with authentic health
care. This is a project of the Pope Paul
VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction and the National
Center for Women's Health in Omaha , Nebraska
First Letter to the Corinthians 15:1-11.
Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached
to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you
are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless
you believed in vain...For I am the least of the Apostles, not fit to be called
an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I
am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have
toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is
with me.
God is the source of all good things. Only Jesus can satisfy
our souls. We should be really careful in setting our priorities. Sometimes we
end up making the wrong choices and decisions in life. We end up rejecting
something that should be valued and treasured more than anything else in this
whole wide world. All we need to do is trust that the Lord will always take
care of all our needs we need not tire ourselves to the point of exhaustion
because it is better to take refuge in the Lord than resort to trusting in or
own strength and others. According
to Fr. Joseph Koterski a Jesuit priest and a professor in Fordham University
Ps 118:1b-2, 16ab-17, 28
R. (1) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy
endures forever. 2 Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures
forever.” (R) 16 “The right hand of the LORD has struck with power; the right
hand of the LORD is exalted.” 17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the
works of the LORD.
I have always loved to hear and
read about this bible passage in today's gospel. It has taken on a deeper and
personal meaning in my life since I have very thick hair and have always worn
it long. At this present time it has become even thicker and the longest it had
become. This adds up to the significance of this bible passage in my life even
more. I just can't help it that every time I encounter this bible passage I
always end up thinking of wiping Jesus' feet with my own hair. I fervently hope
and pray that as Jesus recognized the great love that this woman had shown and
forgave her sins may we too be worthy and likewise be acknowledged personally
by Jesus Himself in our efforts and genuine display of affection to Him. Our
sins no matter how big and many they are should never stop us from turning away
from them and turning to God. We should realize with all our minds, strengths
and souls that if we are able to do what this sinful woman did in the gospel
today then we are indeed forgiven regardless of who we are and what we did.
There is no denying that she has truly repented in thoughts and in deeds.
According to the Jewish tradition anyone who would unroll her hair in public is
exposing herself to a great scandal and humiliation. Even in this present time
of ours, anyone who would kneel down at the feet of a person, cry and bath the
feet with tears, wipe it with the hair and anoint it with oil is already
something out of the ordinary and is definitely an intense demonstration of
affection. No woman whether during the past, present and future time could have
done such an act if not for her tremendous love. We all have sinned and defied
our Savior and Redeemer and we are all called not just to respond but to give
our all. We reserve nothing and give our all for the Lord. Sometimes we cringe
at the thought of being embarrassed and humiliated. This is just natural
because some people could really be discreetly rude and mean that there is no
getting away with it. This is why we have second thoughts and hesitate before
we engage ourselves into doing something especially if it would unavoidably
attract attention. This is a wise move actually because we have to really watch
our actions so as not to cause any scandal or chaos of some sort. We all differ
in how we do things. In the way of showing our affection, we all have our own
ways and means in making it known to the one we love and care for. Not
everybody shares the same opinion and stance on a single matter. Some may find
it very good but others may just dismiss such act as nothing or worse could
think of it as just a fake, a show or a lack of taste and finesse. Whatever it
may be, it is our call and we have to make sure that it would be worth it.
During the time of Jesus, untying a woman’s hair in public is considered
scandalous. This sinful woman being spoken of today in the gospel did just
that. None of these discouraging and degrading remarks that were hurled at her
by the scribes, Pharisees and the people around her stopped her from doing what
she did. In the same way that nothing should be in the way when we approach
Jesus. We are assured that Jesus does not judge by human standards and can
surely see through the depths of our hearts. When we take risks or cross some
lines it is always a consolation to know that it would all be worth it if we do
it knowing that Jesus is our reason. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 7:36-50
...Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two
people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages
and the other owed fifty. 42 Since they were unable to repay the debt, he
forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have
judged rightly.” 44 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. 45 You did
not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I
entered. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with
ointment. 47 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.” 48 He
said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”...
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