Luke 7: 36-50 (Thursday, September 20, 2007)

In the gospel of today, we learn how an encounter with the living Christ can change our lives. The sinful woman in today’s gospel encountered Christ at a dinner in Simon’s house. Having Rabbi’s at special dinners like these and even having them teach to a general audience present from all walks of life was not uncommon. Jesus’ presence could have attracted a greater crowd because of all the miracles he has been working and the radical nature of his teachings. Yesterday’s gospel gives us a glimpse into the radical life of Jesus. If he was in today’s world, he would probably be called “a liberal.” This prostitute who was present at the dinner, most probably for other reasons than listening to the Christian message of Jesus, had a conversion experience. This experience of the living Christ took away all the shame she had and she did things that were very unconventional. For once, she knew what true love means. It is reflective in the life and teaching of Jesus. She could feel that love being before the presence of Jesus. That love is forgiveness. That encounter with the living Christ brought her salvation.

In our lives, our striving should be to always encounter the living Christ. Sometimes we walk away from him. We can only encounter him by fostering families that are truly a domestic church; by reading and praying with the scriptures; by visiting him in the Eucharist and by partaking in his greatest mystery, the Eucharistic sacrifice.

Prayer:
Lord, we want to be in your presence. We want to encounter you. We believe that in your presence there is true love, true peace and true joy.