Luke 7:39
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."
I will never forget the time I received the Sacrament of Reconciliation after graduating from college. Before that time, I would regularly avoid the Sacrament out of fear, often feeling that my sins made me unworthy of love and forgiveness. Thankfully, my fears were unfounded as I instead encountered Jesus through my confessor, who warmly welcomed and absolved me. I wept for joy, realizing that pride had paralyzed me from receiving the forgiveness Jesus longed to give me.
There is tremendous irony in the prideful stance the pharisee takes against the woman weeping at Jesus' feet in today's Gospel. The pharisee presumes if Jesus knew that the woman was a sinner then Jesus would not allow her to come near. Yet, Jesus did in fact know this and greatly desired that the woman approach him, for he loved her in that moment. So too does Jesus immensely love us when we approach him, desiring healing. Inspired by the woman weeping at Jesus' feet, let us confidently approach our Lord today in prayer and the Sacraments, letting nothing, especially our pride, stand in the way of his limitless mercy and his desire to be in communion with us.
Get to know our seminarians! Today's reflection was written by:
Christian Galvan, Theology II
Home parish: St. Stephen
Did you know...
I enjoy singing - I'm a tenor! I have sung in mixed choirs in high school, college, and in my home parish. Now, I am blessed and grateful to assist in coordinating our seminary choir as we lead the community in singing for Liturgy every day.
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