Thursday in the Twenty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Scripture Readings: 1 Tm 4:12-16;  Lk 7:36-50

Love, great love, follows forgiveness. It does not precede it. The religious people in the house do not know that. The sinful woman, an unwelcome one in the Pharisee’s house, knows it. She knows she is forgiven. Jesus doesn’t forgive her; He just confirms it and highlights it to the religious people. She notices she is forgiven. And it is not a personally satisfying experience to her; it is intrinsically important… important in itself. She responds to that value with great love. She shows it to the one in the house who is important in Himself. And only she knows that.

Forgiveness of sinners need not be threatening to religious people. It is the gospel. It is the good news.