+(Intro) In our first reading this morning we will hear St Paul telling the Corinthians and us that it was by the grace of God he is what he is. Let us take a moment to ask God’s pardon for times when we have failed to live by the grace of God, to allow it be fully effective in our lives.
(After the gospel) This is a very moving narrative we have just heard as the sinful woman of the city learned that Jesus was in the house of a Pharisee. She bathes his feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses them and then anoints them from her fragment ointment.
I find myself asking with more and more frequency who are the true Christians, the true monks, am I a true monk? It is not enough to know all the rules and teachings of the Church, of our monastery if we do not carry them out with a tender and loving heart among all our brothers and sisters. Jesus tells the Pharisee that he did not give him water for his feet, that he did not give him a kiss, did not anoint his head with oil but she had done all these with great love. He then forgives her all her sins because she has shown great love.
At this Eucharist we are again making present that transformative moment of all history when Jesus gave up his life on a cross for love of us. Let us ask our Lord then to fill our hearts with the love with which she was filled so that we may be truly persons of abiding faith and love.
1Cor 15:1-11; Luke 7:36-50