16 September 2021
Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Saint Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Everyone in in the town where Jesus enjoyed the hospitality of Simon, the Pharisee, knew that the woman who approached him during dinner was a sinner. So, she did not have to say anything. She simply approached him, expressing in silence her respect and love for him, along with repentance for her sins. That said it all. Simon, the host, was embarrassed and shocked.
In the Gospel account, Jesus then said to him in effect: “Look at that woman, Simon. Tell me what you see. Is it not the expression of my continuous love for the sinner, of my appeal for love in return?” But it is even more than that.
In the recounting of this episode with the notoriously sinful woman, isn’t Jesus telling me personally what my attitude should be toward every sinner, no matter how grave the sin? No matter who he or she is or what crimes either has committed, every man and woman should be seen as a brother or sister, one worthy of love.
Every person, especially any pardoned sinner or anyone, who has been harmed by the effects of sin, has the need to hear me say, either verbally or silently by my attitude, what Jesus said to the woman: “Go in peace.”