Sharing life: What are you most and least grateful for this week?

Facilitator reads focus statement: In our first and third readings, David and an unnamed woman experience God’s mercy. In the second reading, Paul tells us that in leaving the law behind for faith in Christ, he experienced salvation.

If you haven’t read the commentary on the readings, consider reading before or after each reading.

FIRST READING: 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13

In this reading, the prophet Nathan confronts David with his sin of adultery and how he planned the murder of the woman’s rightful husband. The reading begins with Nathan recounting God’s blessings on David: God has chosen him and anointed him as king of his people. Nathan suggests that David’s guilt is all the greater because he has been so blessed by God. David’s sins of adultery and premeditated murder were tantamount to a rejection of God and Nathan attests to this in verse 9 "why have you spurned the Lord?"

Confronted with his terrible failures, David admits his wrongdoing: "I have sinned against the Lord." Then Nathan assures David of God’s forgiveness. "The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die." In the context of today’s gospel, Nathan’s proclamation of God’s mercy is the main focus of this reading. God’s willingness to forgive us is always greater than our ability to offend him.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 32

This penitential psalm was prayed during public confession of sin. It celebrates God’s willingness to forgive when we are willing to admit our sins. (See Psalm 51 for David’s own act of contrition for his sins.)

SECOND READING: Galatians 2:16, 19-21

In this reading, Paul is developing the central thesis of his apostolic ministry, namely that salvation comes to us as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ, and not as a result of our observance of the prescriptions of the Mosaic Law. Only faith in the saving power of the risen Christ can bring us salvation. Our role in our salvation is humble acceptance of the gift offered by Christ.

GOSPEL: Luke 7:36-48

This gospel is a powerful expression of the unconditional love that God has for the sinner. The scene includes an action and a parable with the latter explaining the former. Jesus shows that he forgives the woman’s sins by accepting her act of hospitality, even before he pronounces the words of his forgiveness. And, as his parable explains, her love, in turn, is great because she has been forgiven much. Commenting on this gospel, John Scmitz writes:

The Pharisee represents those community members who stingily dispense forgiveness and carefully select those worthy of it. Most likely they excluded their own kind from even needing forgiveness.

The penitent woman represents those community members who openly admit their need of God’s forgiveness by their attitudes and actions. Such behavior Jesus encourages and praises.

The sandwiched parable of the generous money-lender suggests that God forgives all types of people – sinners great and small. Those sinners most receptive to God’s love are abundantly blessed, while those perfect Pharisee-types receive little forgiveness because of their blindness.

The women named at the end of today’s reading become very important. They represent those who had received the healing touch of Jesus. A true ministry of forgiveness and healing can take place only in a community where the members receive this healing themselves before they try to extend it to others. Luke seems to indicate that these women performed this ministry quite effectively.

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1. What verse spoke to you most and why?

2. King David commits adultery, even though he had several wives, and covers up his grievous sin by planning for the murder of the woman’s husband. Was God too soft on David? Should he not, at least, have demanded that David be fired or deposed? Would you?

3. Nathan could have turned a blind eye to David’s sin. Instead he confronted him and led him to repentance? Have you ever had a similar experience, being lead to repentance or leading another to repentance? If so, what was that experience like for you? If not, can you imagine what that experience might be like? Should we always turn a blind eye to the sins of others?

4. How do you understand the connection between faith and good works? Do most Catholics act as if their salvation depended on their good works?

5. In the past sexual sins were often regarded as the worst sins. Today they are hardly ever mentioned. Has the church gone soft in this area?

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

How can you act on the message of today’s readings? Suggestion: Spend sometime reflecting on the awesome nature of God’s love. If you are harboring resentment towards others, pray for the grace to extend God’s mercy to him/her.

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION

Spend sometime praying for your own needs and the needs of others.