ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

FIRST READING (2 Sam 12:7-10, 13)

SECOND READING (Gal 2:16, 19-21)

GOSPEL (Luke 7:36-8:3)

Quarrels and bitterness are never pleasant things to see or watch, especially those that break out during meal times in the family. When People come together, they are united to pass time in joyous company, not to take part in stormy discussions and altercations, or listen to insults and see people coming to blows.

Among the Jews, whenever they had a celebration their invitations were done quite carefully, that they don’t invite rough, rude, and disturbing visitors. Have you ever thought of why you are often invited to a celebration? It’s because you are good mannered, not quarrelsome, you know the culture and what people expect from you.

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus is sitting at the table taking his meal. He enters everybody’s house without distinction and accepts invitations from poor and rich alike, from the healthy or the sick, without bothering about the rigorous rules on purity laid down by spiritual leaders of his people. We see him in a house of a Pharisee, a high class place. Only honest and reliable people have been invited along with him. It is no place where you can expect to hear rude words or improper talk.

Why was Jesus invited? The Pharisees saw him as great Master and wanted to listen to his wise teachings. On Saturday particularly, on leaving the synagogue, all try to have as a guest the person who gives new ideas so as to have the opportunity to put questions and discuss the contents of explanation of the issues at hand. The Pharisees could have invited him to tell him not to associate with people who are ill-famed, or to get him closely to their circle. How many times have we thought that we can pocket a priest?

From nowhere a woman comes in. A woman whom everyone knew had loose morals; she is coming in to spoil the feast. She looks around, in her hand carrying a jar of perfume, goes to straight to Jesus and bends low, weeping, tears flowing down her cheeks to the feet of Jesus. This can be the best selling story in our media houses for weeks. (verse 36-39).

This woman knew Jesus very well. Jesus often accepted invitations from sinners. (7:34; 15:2). This woman in one occasion should have seen Jesus on one of these occasions. The smile and glance of a young Galilean Master must have struck this woman. What a pleasant and nice man! Jesus takes defense of those who have gone wrong in life, even to the point of stating that they were even better than those who pretended to be “just” (Matt 21:31).

As I write this homily I have a picture in mind of Koinage street which connects Holy Family Basilica. This street is a “red light” zone. Don’t ask me why its near Holy Family Basilica, may be for better evangelization to our men and women who may be Catholics, who knows. I think these forgotten people in our society need the gospel which suits them, may be!!!

Supposing a prostitute goes to talk to a priest in her attire or goes for Sunday first Mass. What will the Christians say about that priest? Can you stomach the show? Wa!wa! ohhh! Wele wele! Shalaaaalee!!! Jesus, Mary and Joseph!!! Have mercy on that priest. It’s not easy to fathom that isn’t it?

When Luke was writing this gospel, he very well knew the situation of these communities. Most of the members were women and a large number were widows, who gave all their time to serve the brethren. They have been cured of many ailments, evil spirits. As long as we do not understand that whatever good we have is a gift of God, we will ever love little.