Thursday of week 24 in Ordinary Time
Saint Januarius, Bishop, Martyr
Gospel – Luke 7:36-50
“For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love”. Today’s reading asks us to mediate on an important element of our spiritual life. The confession and the forgiveness we receive in that sacrament. The woman came into the house of this Pharisee, and she waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment. She is not looking anyone else there. She sees only Jesus. It’s someone’s house. Doesn’t matter. She did what she came to do. This is what happens or what must happen when we go to the sacrament of Confession. It’s going to the feet of Jesus to cry over our sins. Others will be commenting or will be looking at you. But never mind, you must go to confession. And then in the words of Jesus we can hear how much He appreciates the gesture of thanksgiving by her. Here comes the second element. We must thank enough Jesus for the forgiveness we receive in the sacrament. Let’s reflect: Do I go to confession as if I go to cry at the feet of Jesus and do I thank enough for the forgiveness I receive in the sacrament?
Don Giorgio