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The Love that Compels

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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, September 18, 2025

Scripture:

1 Timothy 4:12-16
Luke 7:36-50

Reflection:

“If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” -Luke 7:39-40

All of us, probably, have had the experience of walking into our home, or a classroom or a workplace and instinctively felt the chilly reception we were getting. There were no overt signals that we were not wanted or signs of disrespect. But there were many little things that spoke volumes and loudly. The lack of a sincere welcome, the abrupt change of conversation, the veneer of social niceties in words, without the warmth and happy gestures, make us wary and uncomfortable. It seems that in people’s minds, we are judged, and we have failed to meet their expectations of us as a human being, family members, friends and persons worthy of their friendship.

If we are so attuned to this kind of experience in our society, Jesus was also. Jesus knew when he was being used. Jesus knew when people were saying one thing to his face but thinking another thing behind his back. Yet, Jesus did not avoid these encounters. In fact, he seemed to welcome them. The Gospel for today’s Mass demonstrates that.

Jesus is invited to a dinner being given by a “certain Pharisee” who may have been well known for his prestige, social status and wealth. Jesus enters and reclines at the table with him. We later find out that he was not welcome with the common courtesies of the day: his feet washed, a kiss of greeting and an anointment that would certainly fill the room with a nice fragrance. We get the impression that the Pharisee was doing Jesus a great favor by having him sit at the table with him.

The other important person in this Gospel account is “a sinful woman in the city.” There could be no greater contrasts than between these two people: a man of power, prestige and wealth and a woman who was well known for her sinful life.

One of the many layers found in this Gospel passage is that of entitlement. The sense of entitlement comes more easily to people of status, wealth, power, and social standing. That doesn’t mean that all of us also have a sense of entitlement, but some are able to exercise it more easily and without impunity, without shame. The examples are legion.

Jesus’ parable within the Gospel passage shows us that all of us are indebted because all of us are sinners. No one has the right to claim superiority over another human being. All of us have sinned. All of us are in need of forgiveness. All of us depend upon God’s mercy.

God’s love for us is all-inclusive. God loved us from the time we were in our mother’s womb. The sign of God’s love for us is forgiveness.

Jesus knew how to break the cycle of social inequality. No human law can dehumanize a person and classify that person as untouchable, inferior, unforgivable, unlovable. Only the human mind and heart can do that.

This is why Jesus’ command to love one another as he loves us is so liberating. It puts us in our place: children of God and brothers and sisters to one another. We don’t have to worry if this person is worthy of our love and attention, or if this “sinner” is loved and can be forgiven by God! That is why God is God.

Those at the table with Jesus ask: “Who is this who can even forgive sins?” Thank God, it is Jesus, our Lord, and Savior!

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is the local superior of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California. 

Daily Scripture, August 23, 2024

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14Matthew 22:34-40 Reflection: In our first reading we have a dramatic account of the prophet Ezekiel being led “in the spirit of the Lord,” in the “center of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 22, 2024

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:23-28Matthew 22:1-14 Reflection: Behind the dramatic scenes of today’s gospel story, there are indeed lessons for us. Buts first let us rid ourselves of the distracting events of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 21, 2024

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-11Matthew 20:1-16 Reflection: How do we use our power and authority in relation to others? Do we use them to care for and help others? To offer comfort, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 20, 2024

Feast of St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church Scripture: Ezekiel 28:1-10Matthew 19:23-30 Reflection: Among the many gifts that I’ve cherished over the years, are stories of the truly » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 19, 2024

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:15-24Matthew 19:16-22 Reflection: Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 18, 2024

Scripture: Proverbs 9:1-6Ephesians 5:15-20John 6:51-58 Reflection: “The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”John 6:52 The readings for today’s Mass invite us » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 17, 2024

Scriptures: Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32Matthew 19:13-15 Reflection: What we do with our lives really does matter. How we live each day truly is of ultimate significance, because the cumulative effect » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 16, 2024

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63Matthew 19:3-12 Reflection: The beautiful words of God’s care and love reverberate in these passages. We can even hearken back to Hosea 11 and Jeremiah 29 » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 14, 2024

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe Scripture: Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22Matthew 18:15-20 Reflection: Saint Maximilian Kolbe: A Beacon of Sacrifice and Heroism Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a twentieth-century Polish Franciscan priest and martyr » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 13, 2024

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:8-3:4Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 Reflection: Ezekiel was a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem when he was called by God to warn the people of immanent destruction. If » Continue Reading.

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