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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, June 5, 2012

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18 Mark 12:13-17 Reflection: There is a line in today’s Gospel that is frequently quoted: "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 4, 2012

  Scripture: 2 Peter 1:2-7 Mark 12:1-12       Reflection: Responsible Stewardship & Discipleship Today’s Gospel parable of the vineyard and the tenant farmers is familiar:  a vineyard is » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 3, 2012

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity  Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 Romans 8:14-17 Matthew 28:16-20 Reflection: "Fix in your heart that the Lord is God in the heavens above and on » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 2, 2012

Scripture: Jude 17, 20B-25 Mark 11:27-33 Reflection: Today’s Gospel reading is a selection that is situated in the days leading up to the Passion and death of Jesus.  The events » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 7, 2012

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Mark 12:28-34 Reflection: When I was a young undergraduate at DePaul University in Chicago, I was accused of being a willy-nilly idealist. I suspect the person(s) » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 1, 2012

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-13 Mark 11:11-26 Reflection: Today in his first letter, St. Peter encourages his brothers and sisters to live in the Lord, for the time is soon coming » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 30, 2012

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-25 Mark 10:32-45 Reflection: "When you care enough to send the very best."  This is the well-known advertising slogan of a greeting card company.  One obvious faith application of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 29, 2012

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-16 Mark 10:28-31 Reflection: Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 27, 2012

Pentecost Sunday Scripture: Acts 2:1-11 Galatians 5:16-25 John 20:19-23 Reflection: Earlier this week, a 21-year old pawn shop worker from Leesburg, Georgia, was crowned the new American Idol on national » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 25, 2012

Scripture: Acts 25:13b-21 John 21:15-19 Reflection: "Do you love me?" Thirty two years ago yesterday, my husband Tom and I promised to cherish each other for as long as we » Continue Reading.

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