Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary:93 (NAB Translation)
Sunday Says
Reading 1
2 Samuel 12:7-10;13
This week’s first reading is from Samuel we hear Nathaniel appear to David to chastise him in the name of the Lord. The Lord reminds David that everything great that he has received has been a direct blessing from Him. It was only by the very hand of God that David was able to reach where he has. In his ingratitude, David still sinned against the Lord with full knowledge. This is the definition of Mortal Sin, and we are equally susceptible to fall into sin as well. As soon as David responds and calls upon the Mercy of the Lord, The Father doesn’t hesitate to forgive. Likewise for us, the Lord is only waiting for us to run into His arms of Mercy.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 7, 11
Lord, forgive the wrong that I have done
Reading 2
Galatians 2:16,19-21
This week’s second reading from St Paul’s letter to the Galatians has some of the most beautiful wording of this whole epistle. He reminds us that we don’t live out our faith simply by checking boxes from the law, if it was, then Christ died in vain, as St Paul says. If we truly call ourselves Christians, then we have to unite ourselves completely with His life, death and resurrection. Centered in that and resonating from that, then we can truly encounter the meaning of the Christian life.
Alleluia 1 John 4:10B
R. Alleluia, Alleluia
God loved us and sent His Son as expiation for our sins.
Gospel
Luke 7:36-8:3
This week’s Gospel from St Luke is a continuation of this week’s theme of mercy. We see two separate stories, the story of the sinful woman coming to Jesus to wash His feet with her own tears and hair. Then she anoints Him. The Pharisee is scandalized by the situation because of the woman’s known past, but then Jesus responds with a parable.
The pharisee answered correctly when he recognized that the sinner with the greater debt would feel a greater sense of forgiveness because they had more damage. We are all sinners, and every one of us is in need of the Mercy of God. This year of Mercy is a new opportunity for us to open our arms more to His infinite love. We are also tasked with the mission to show that same mercy to our neighbors.
