Lk 7: 36-8:3 God so loves us

Have you ever thought about what it would have taken for this woman to enter into the house of this politician and come before an honored guest to wash his feet with her hair and perfumed oil?  A group was discussion this very story and the awe for this woman was great because she had to have been prominent herself, or had connections to be able to bribe her way into the house.  That fact that she was known as a sinner has the implication that perhaps her sin was great and that it was permissible given her position in society.  These are just speculation. 

She kisses the feet of the lord.  She has shown hospitality to a man who is not really welcome as a guest, and one who the host has insulted by not offering the customary foot washing as required by the rules of good hospitality.  She has done all these things with such great love, not simply out of requirement. 

Jesus puts a story of two debtors to Simon Peter, one who owes more than another, and yet both debts are forgiven, who would love more the one forgiving the debt.  Peter answers, the one who had more to be forgiven.  It is amazing the number of people who come to church seeing God who have spent their whole lives apart from him, and how wonderfully he is to forgive their sins as much as one who has always lived a good and righteous life.   We should be happy for each other that we are all called to the Banquet.  We are all challenged to remember that we are all loved equally by our Heavenly Father.  We are challenged to help each other, and not to feel jealous of each other, or be judging if someone is greatly thankful to the Lord for his goodness; it is just their way of acknowledging the gift they have been given.  We have all been given gifts, we just need to look and bring them with us to the foot of Christ and honor and adore him through our gifts.

John 6:30-35 I Am the Bread of Life

In the Gospel today the crowds test Jesus and ask for veracity that he is who he says that he is by giving them a sign.  This is not unusual.  Throughout the Old Testament prophets tested to make sure that it was truly God that was speaking to them.  In the New Testament even Mary asks for a sign from the angel to know for certain that her pregnancy and child were ordained from God.  In Mary's case she was told that her ancient cousin, Elizabeth, was expecting and in her sixth month, so that Mary could see if it was true for herself, and she did go, and learn the truth that this was indeed for both her and her cousin, a miracle wrought from God.

So today, the crowds press closer to Jesus awaiting that sign, that hope to be fulfilled.  He responds, "I am the bread of life."  He is here, the Word of God, to nourish us daily with that bread that is him, that takes away our sins and leads us to eternal life.  How exciting for them!  for us!--that the Lord has come and the wedding banquet is set and ready for us to partake in it.  This is the gift of salvation through the Resurrection that we continue to celebrate this Easter season.

Luke 5: 27-32 Calling of Levi

for today's reading: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021316.cfm

In today's reading Jesus calls Levi and the other tax collectors to follow him.  Jesus is showing us that we can be called, every one of us, to follow him.  It doesn't matter if we are sinners or saints, the door to the Father's banquet is open to each of us.  It is the Father's love that calls us. 

The scribes and Pharisees are adherents to the law, but the laws have become and end to themselves.  Jesus is here to offer us a new covenant made the Father's love and through the Holy Spirit.  Are we ready to accept the Lord's invitation to follow him no matter what others may say or think about us?  Are we ready to have our eyes focused solely on him?  Are we ready to embrace the call to be saints who wear jeans, chew bubble gum, and drink soda and eat fries?  Everyone is called.