Paul makes a very strong statement in today’s first reading, he said: ‘by God’s grace, this is what I am’, namely an apostle. He was very aware that his transformation from a persecutor of the Church to the primary apostle to the Gentiles was not his own doing. It was the risen Lord’s gracious initiative towards him which made this transformation possible. All his work as an apostle was his grateful response to the Lord’s gracious love towards him.
And once again, today’s gospel is much more than a rebuke of the Pharisees. At its heart, it’s a story of love.
The woman who breaks in upon a meal at which Jesus was guest was also aware that the transformation that had taken place in her life was not her own doing. It was the result of the Jesus’ gracious love towards her, unconditionally communicating God’s forgiveness to her. Her extravagant gesture of washing the Lord’s feet with her tears and drying them with her hair was her grateful response to the Lord’s gracious love towards her.
Both, Paul and the woman acted out of gratitude to the Lord for what they recognized was an undeserved gift. Both of these people show us the shape of our own lives as followers of Jesus. Like them, we too have been greatly graced by the Lord. He lived, died and rose again for us; he has poured the Holy Spirit in our hearts and continues to do so. He offers himself to us as Bread of Life in the Eucharist. He does all this out of love for us, without asking us to earn or deserve these gifts, this gift of himself.
According to my belief all that means that our lives are to be one great act of thanksgiving to the Lord who has abundantly graced us and nothing more. That’s the main message from today’s readings.
So, what is our task for today? Like Paul and the woman, let us give ourselves to the Lord in love because we want to show appreciation for all the ways He has graced us.
Please keep these thoughts through the day.
Tomasz MAMELKA - Timperley 