Human things must be known to be loved; but
divine things must be loved to be known. - Blaise Pascal Because God IS Love itself.
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1 Timothy 4:12-16 Psalm 111:7-8, 9, 10 Luke 7:36-50 One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s
house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this
man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has.’ Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak, Master’ was the reply. ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’ ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are
right.’ Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must
have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’
Reflection on the Scriptures
The Examen is a wonderful reflective tool used by St. Ignatius and continues to be used by Jesuits and laypeople worldwide. In the daily Examen I pause, relax, and ask God to be with me as I enter God’s presence.
The Examen asks me to call to mind 2-3 things I am grateful for in the past 24 hours; where did I see God in the day, in today’s events where did I accept God’s invitation to be loving, grateful and where did I turn away? Where did I stray from God? I call to mind the morning, midday and evening and I reflect on all events and how I responded? What emerges from this reflection for me to focus on? I pause and review the day, remembering what I regret and ask God for forgiveness and
the grace to do better. In this gospel message Jesus recognizes this woman as a sinner who has been forgiven for her sins before her actions, she is able to love and show her love because she understands she has been forgiven. She feels God’s love and mercy and can love more because of it. In my daily Examen, or my time with God, it provides me an
opportunity to feel God’s love and mercy so I can in turn love more. Spending time with God during the Examen provides an insight and lens into my soul that is so meaningful. What emerges is a message from God …a message of kindness, forgiveness, and love. The Examen brings a time to sit before God…to be silent and listen and an opportunity to share that love with others. -by Cindy Costanzo
The Imitation of Christ, Thomas A. Kempis https://amzn.to/40FrikB Paperback and Kindle versions available BOOK
ONE: Thoughts Helpful in the Life of a Soul
The Third Chapter: The Doctrine of Truth Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it and no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of learning. Not that learning is to be considered evil, or knowledge, which is good in itself and so ordained by God; but a clean conscience and virtuous life ought always to be preferred. Many often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to become learned rather
than to live well. If people used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious organizations. On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have
spoken but how well we have lived.
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