As a child growing up, were you ever at a special family dinner where an important guest was invited and other high-level guests were to be in attendance? Do you remember the level of preparation that went into the dinner? Do you recall the type of cleaning that was done prior to the visit, the careful choice of food and drink, and the thoughtful setting up of the space? Do you remember the kind of talk at the dinner and the decorum in behavior that was expected of all the family members given the kind of guest who was being hosted?
Now imagine in the middle of such an important dinner an uncle with a drinking problem and who didn’t keep himself so neat burst into the room, at the top of his voice greeted everyone, and straight away went and gave a big hug to the guest of honor! Imagine the discomfort or restlessness that took over the room.
A Bad Dinner Guest
That is how the evening felt the about the dinner we heard about the gospel today. Simon the Pharisee put on a special dinner in his home for an incredibly special guest. The chief guest was a young and an increasingly popular rabbi in town. Think about hosting to dinner an Archbishop in your house. Simon the Pharisee was thoughtful about how he wanted the dinner to look like, and he was careful about who he invited to the dinner. The party seemed to be going well when suddenly, a notorious woman in town with questionable character burst into the room! Right away she went to the guest of honor and held onto him and wouldn’t let go. At some point she burst into tears and held onto the guest of honor even tightly!
The Mercy of God
Everyone in the room was embarrassed at what was happening except the guest of honor. He said the woman’s behavior and tenderness was the best thing he had seen in a long time. He said the woman had been forgiven by God of so much sin in her life and her behavior that evening was the most appropriate response to the extravagant mercy of God that she had experienced. The guest of honor went on to encourage all at the table to imitate her response and behavior towards God’s mercy!
This gospel gives us some important things to reflect on for the day in relation to our lives as Christians. In our faith we have been availed the Sacrament of Reconciliation where we encounter God’s extravagant Mercy and Forgiveness. There is no sin whoever big that God cannot forgive of us. Like that woman in today’s gospel, we are invited to recognize how deeply loved we are and open our hearts to Forgiveness especially through the Sacrament of reconciliation.
True Humility
Second, in Jewish culture, a woman’s hair was considered her crown, her beauty, her dignity, and her glory. Almost every woman kept her hair covered. Not only did this lady let her hair down in public, but she also used it to wipe the feet of Jesus. She didn’t use any cloth or towel; she used her hair. She put aside any pride or self-image and simply adored the Lord. She did not care about being misunderstood or being judged by others, she simply cared about honoring Jesus. Question: Are there ways we too need to “let down our hair” and be honest or unguarded before God about who we are, what our hidden struggles are, what we desire from Him, or how grateful we are to Him? It is only when we become soft, tender, and tearful before God that His Mercy and Forgiveness flood our lives and transform us.
Letting Our Guard Down
May we in this Mass today ask the Lord for His grace to enable us “let down our hair,” be unguarded before Him especially through the sacrament of reconciliation. May His grace too teach us, especially through regular prayer to speak to Him from the deepest cockles of our hearts.
- Today’s Readings
- Father Fred's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join, too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
