You know, every time you come to Mass, every time you celebrate the Holy Eucharist, it is an opportunity and occasion to thank the Lord for his generosity in giving us himself—his body and his blood—and also for those whom he has chosen to provide this for us, his priests.
In today’s first reading, Saint Paul is speaking to Saint Timothy, reminding him to look after the gift that was conferred upon him through the laying on of hands by the presbyterate—in other words, the sacred priesthood. We know that Timothy was made a bishop by Saint Paul, who urges him to proclaim the Good News, to live a life worthy of his calling, and to persevere in attending to his own virtue and his teaching. In other words, he must live what he preaches. Saint Paul says that by striving to live this way, Timothy would save both himself and those who listened to him. Our Lord wants all of us to be saved.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus imparts salvation to a woman whom many scholars believe to have been Saint Mary Magdalene. “Your faith has saved you; go in peace,” he says to her. Saint Mary Magdalene, who earlier in the Gospels is said to have had seven demons cast out of her, was so deeply moved by Jesus—by his words, his preaching about the Father, the Kingdom to come, and living a life worthy of God’s blessings—that she repented. She repented to such a degree that she was willing to walk into the house of a Pharisee, something a public sinner would normally not dare to do, and throw herself down at the feet of Jesus.
Notice that she brings an alabaster flask of ointment. Standing behind Jesus at his feet, weeping, she begins to bathe his feet with her tears. She dries them with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with the ointment. The Pharisee Simon, when he sees this, is scandalized. But Jesus reminds him of how he himself had once been forgiven. Simon complains, “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.” Yet Simon, who was once a leper, had most likely been healed by Jesus. He must have been healed, otherwise he could not have hosted people in his home, since lepers were excluded from the community.
The Lord is saying: God had mercy on you. He healed you. You, who could not touch anyone, can now shake hands, wash feet, embrace others. You are enjoying the fruits of God’s mercy. How then can you not extend this same mercy to this woman, who is broken and in need?
And so, my brothers and sisters, the great lesson from today’s readings is that we seek salvation through God’s mercy, and through his patience, tender love, and daily care for us. But just as he accompanies us with mercy, we too are called to extend that same mercy to our brothers and sisters, especially those most in need. For the Lord desires to save us together as one family.
Our Lady, Queen of all those who are struggling, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
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