11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

2 Sam 12:7-10,13
Ps 32:1-2, 5, 7, 11
Gal 2:16, 19-21
Lk 7:36--8:3

Mary Magdalene is one of the New Testament’s most interesting characters—as well as someone whose reputation has been tainted by mistaken identity. Today’s Gospel story is a good place to begin correcting that misinformation.

From Luke’s Gospel, we hear a story of a dramatic banquet at a Pharisee’s house. There, a woman of sinful reputation enters and performs the gesture of bathing Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair and anointing them with ointment. When the host is scandalized, Jesus uses the incident to remark about the woman’s great love, and then goes on to forgive her.

Later in the same Gospel passage, we hear that as Jesus journeys about preaching Good News, his company included some “women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,” including “Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.” It’s clear from the text that the two women in the story are different individuals.

Mary Magdalene is portrayed in today’s account as a follower of Christ—one who was in his company of believers, and who—in John’s resurrection story—was an eyewitness to Jesus risen, and a messenger of that wonderful Good News to the apostles. Mary’s role is one of Christian service and witness—a role we can do well to imitate.

Scripture:

•Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king of Israel.…’ (2 Samuel 12:7)

•Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalm 32:2)

•I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God (Galatians 2:19,20)

•He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (Luke 7:48,9)

Reflection:

•How are you crucified with Christ?

•How are you able to live without guile (deceit)?

•How is Jesus able to forgive sin?

•What does this mean: “as now I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God”?

It would be easy to assume that Francis recalled the suffering Christ out of guilt for past sins, but this would be a narrow interpretation. Francis had discovered the infinite possibilities of love and wanted to remain awake to the spirit of Christ that flowed through his being and through the world. From Francis all things begin and end in Christ. He saw the light shine from human faces and embraced a sacramental universe. He never felt alone because he trusted that Jesus walked at his side and was a source of divine guidance within. Is it any wonder that he sang praise with his companion and called all nature to praise Jesus? His participation in the infinite stream of love made him a mouthpiece for divine energy throughout the world.