JUDGEMENTS     FORGIVENESS     LOVE     FATHERS’ DAY
Today’s Gospel story should give us all pause. It is also noteworthy that it appears on Fathers’ Day.

A Pharisee invites Jesus to dine with him. Upon learning that Jesus was to dine at the Pharisee’s house, a very sinful woman entered the house, stood behind Him weeping, and then began to bathe His feet with her tears and ointment she had brought. She wiped His feet with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them again with the ointment. The Pharisee said to himself (judgment) that if Jesus were a prophet, He would know just what kind of woman was touching Him, she, a great sinner. (judgment again) He, Simon, certainly would not have invited such a person to his house to dine. (no forgiveness)

Jesus pointed out to His host that he did not give Him water to bathe His feet nor kiss Him in adoration nor anoint Him with precious ointment. Jesus then said to Simon, “If two people owed a debt–one much greater than the other–and both were forgiven by the creditor, which one would love him more?” Simon replied “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” Jesus answered “You have judged rightly.” Turning to the woman, Jesus

said “Your sins are forgiven…… Your faith has saved you; go in peace. SO I TELL YOU, HER MANY SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN BECAUSE SHE HAS SHOWN GREAT LOVE. BUT THE ONE TO WHOM LITTLE IS FORGIVEN, LOVES LITTLE.” *

Nobody in this world knows or understands another completely, no matter how close you think you are. Nor do we understand another’s circumstances entirely when we make our reactive judgments. But we are all capable of making snap judgments about each other. With or without explanation or proof. And forgiveness is not something that comes immediately, naturally, or in some cases, is even thought of as necessary. And yet our judgments influence and color our behaviors at the present moment and perhaps for a very much longer time. And these judgments, especially the negative ones, can be passed along and influence others, often unfairly.

Fathers struggle with these issues constantly—at home with children, extended family —judgment, forgiveness, love. Are they all necessary? Or is one just a snap reaction? Patience anyone? Can love over rule any action, no matter how painful? Can we ever love first in our reactive life? Is it easier to do this at home rather than the work place? How often do we judge others with whom we spend a great deal of our waking hours and yet, we actually know very little about them personally? We can make so many mistakes about another with just the most arbitrary information–hair style, clothing choices, language skills, cultural differences, reading materials, if any, and so on. And how often do we give kindness in our interactions rather than indifference, even if we don’t know the other very well? The world we live in has changed so extraordinarily that those who must travel its paths every day, communicate across the table or across the world every day, or just live and function outside the home every day, experience stresses never before imagined. How often do we forgive ourselves for acting poorly and then do something about it? The Pharisee, the sinful woman–to whom did Jesus pay the most attention? To whom did Jesus feel He had to teach in order for that person to understand His message? “

Which of these most dominates my life?   JUDGEMENTS    FORGIVENESS    LOVE
Which of these would you most like others to give you every day?

Stewardship Questions: Kathy Reilly 781-444-0862 e-mail: kreilly15@yahoo.com *Gospel according to Luke

HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY TO OUR LOVING AND HARD WORKING FATHERS! AND THANK YOU.