Your faith has saved you. Go in peace

 

 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."  And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."  So he said, "Teacher, say it."  There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"  Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."  Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."  

 

And those who sat at table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"  Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."

 

- Luke 7:36–50 

 

On Saturday we read that the disciples of John the Baptist concerning all these things that Christ was doing in His ministry.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.' For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of  tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."

 

  Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."  And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."  So he said, "Teacher, say it."  There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"  Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."  Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."   My study Bible comments here that this Pharisee was intrigued by Christ, as evidenced by his invitation.  And yet, he clearly does not believe in Christ -- which is shown in his reaction to Jesus' mercy.  Moreover, Jesus points out the man's lack of even common hospitality (verses 44-46), a sure sign of lack of respect.  My study Bible further elaborates on today's reading that Christ's encounter with this sinful woman is an icon of the grace that's found in the Church.  St. Ambrose of Milan commented that through her, "the Church is justified as being greater than the Law, for the Law does not know the forgiveness of sins, nor the mystery in which secret sins are cleansed; therefore, what is lacking in the Law is perfected in the Gospel."

 

 And those who sat at table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"  Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."  My study Bible notes that the suggestion that a man could forgive sins was beyond the bounds of the law as understood by the Pharisees (see Luke 5:21).  But Christ wasn't a mere human being only; He was the very Lawgiver Himself.  St. Cyril of Alexandria is quoted as commenting, "Who could declare things that were above the Law, except the One who ordained the Law?"

 

One thing is very striking about today's reading.  In our present day and age we tend to take Christ's mercy for granted, which is unfortunate.  But taking things for granted is very important to today's reading, for what we read in this woman's love for Christ seems to be a supreme expression of gratitude on her part.  We don't often see gratitude as a form of love, but in this instance we have the perfect illustration of that concept.  Jesus says it Himself, "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."   It is surprising how little importance we often give to gratitude, but in Christ's eyes here, it is practically everything.  This woman's status in His eyes is clearly elevated -- and praised -- for her expression of love and gratitude.  So long as we feel entitled to grace, or entitled to forgiveness (or perhaps "entitled" to just about anything), we will struggle to understand the proper role of gratitude in a well-ordered life and its place in our ways of thinking.  This is especially true for those who call ourselves Christian.  There is nothing that surpasses the importance of recognizing how significant our dependence upon God really is, and the light that casts on how we live our lives, and how we view ourselves and our circumstances.  With her fragrant oil, this woman shows an extravagant thanks indeed, a gratitude that can only be borne of being freed from a kind of slavery to her sin.  It is this the Pharisee doesn't see, and perhaps cannot understand.  He doesn't see the reality of Christ, doesn't even receive Him with the hospitality (or common courtesy, as my study Bible says) that would no doubt be shown to a fellow Pharisee.  Do you and I value what Christ has to offer us?  Do we understand the depth of dependency upon and the love of God for us?  This is what we see if we but open our eyes and look at the extravagance of love, the release from a debt.  And yet, how many of us may take this for granted?

 

 

 

gratitude underrated

But what did you go out into the wilderness to see?

 

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.' 

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  

 

And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  

 

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:

'We played the flute for you,

 And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

And you did not weep.'

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of  tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."

 

- Luke 7:18-35

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people (that is, the Sermon on the Plain), He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. 

 

  Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."   My study Bible reminds us that John the Baptist was imprisoned shortly after the Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:14).  Although the Baptist had directed his disciples to follow Christ (John 1:29-31, 35-37), some remained with him.  While John's own faith was undoubtedly strengthened by the signs Jesus performed, my study Bible cites patristic commentary which universally sees this encounter as a way in which John convinced his remaining disciples that Jesus was truly the Coming One.   The great works performed by Christ here are the signs prophesied about the time of the Messiah.

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'   For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  Although He was the greatest prophet, John's earthly life and ministry remained in the period of the old covenant.  My study Bible explains that the new covenant so far surpasses the old that the least in the kingdom is greater than the greatest outside of it.  This doesn't imply that John will not be resurrected to the Kingdom, but it is telling us that his life on earth came before something much superior.  Jesus quotes from the prophecy of Malachi, indicating that it is John the Baptist who fulfills that prophecy (Malachi 3:1).

 

 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  See Mark 11:27-33.

 

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of  tax collectors and sinners!'"  Jesus references a children's game common in His time.  The game was played with two groups of children. One group would initiate musicians either playing a pipe for music to dance, or singing a dirge -- and the other was expected to respond with dancing or mourning.  Here the image is of a second group that does not respond appropriately to either prompt, while the children of the first complain.  The Pharisees were so rigid in their religion, my study Bible explains, that they were unable to respond to and engage the world around them.  So they rejected John as too mournful and ascetic, and Christ as too merciful and joyous.  Jesus compares those who criticize to children playing a childish game.

 

"But wisdom is justified by all her children."  In spite of being rejected by the Pharisees, my study Bible tells us, both John and Christ are justified -- not by the opinions of men, but by their children; that is, those who would come to believe and be faithful.

 

 Jesus seems to chastise the people regarding John.  He says, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts."  The irony to us should be that John is not living in a king's court, but in a king's prison, although we know that King Herod liked to listen to him and "heard him gladly" (see Mark 6:17-20).  But John was neither a reed shaken by the wind, nor a man clothed in soft garments, nor was he gorgeously appareled or living in luxury.  But John the Baptist was "a prophet," and "more than a prophet," as Jesus says.  John lived the radical life of a prophet fully devoted to God, and dependent upon God.  He was clothed in animal skins, and ate food that was available to him in the wild (Matthew 3:4).  Jesus seems to be responding to criticism of John's life of absolute poverty, what we might call a kind of wildness in his devotion to his mission and his place as the one who called the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah.  Hence, John's title in the Church as "Forerunner."  Jesus says he is more than a prophet; in the tradition of the Church he is the last and greatest of the Old Testament type prophets.  While Jesus is perceived as John's opposite in various ways, Christ vigorously defends John and John's way of life in fulfilling his holy mission.  Let us remark upon the loyalty Christ has for all those who serve God, which we can see in His defense of John.  He says to the people, "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of  tax collectors and sinners!'"  Perhaps the most important teaching we take from today's text is just how God works through God's myriad holy workers, all of them saints and all of them fulfilling their roles in the dispensation of God's plan of salvation.  For each one is unique, and new saints are born every day; there are countless numbers of saints whom we don't know and may never be recognized, and no such thing as a "cookie-cutter" saint or repeat.  This is part of our observance of God's nature of infinite creativity, which never stops, is always renewed, and always surpassing our own limited perceptions and expectations.   In this sense, we are to understand Jesus' very important teaching about the justification of wisdom -- all of the children of Holy Wisdom fulfill the purposes of God which may be unknown or misunderstood by human beings, and yet all are justified in their holiness and their calling.  Even when the holy are seemingly disparate from one another in appearance, such as John the Baptist and Jesus.  John and Jesus are seeming "opposites" in other ways besides the rustic asceticism of John compared to Christ's joyful feasting with tax collectors and sinners.  In the Church, their lives are commemorated at opposite times of the year; John's is when the summer light begins to wane, and Christ's is at the beginning of the time of the year when the light begins to lengthen (Christmas).  John expresses another form of this "difference" between them when he tells his disciples about Jesus, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).  God is big enough to hold these differences at once as part and parcel of the plan for the salvation of the world, and perhaps you and I may look at our world and find, indeed, contradictions which we can't explain, but nonetheless are held in the same hands of God for us all.  For our faith is also found in paradox, in that which is so much bigger than we can ever resolve nor know, but which teaches us to look with humility, beyond what we already understand (Job 38:4).

 

 

 

 

 

I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

- Luke 7:1–17 

 

 We have been reading through Jesus' Sermon on the Plain, in Luke's Gospel (beginning with Tuesday's reading).  Yesterday we read that Jesus added a parable to His teachings:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great."

 

  Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.   My study Bible says that this centurion, a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  It notes for us his remarkable characteristics.  He is compassionate, he loves God and God's people; he has humility; and also possesses great faith, as remarked upon by Jesus.  

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  In the Gospels, there are three recorded resurrections performed by Christ (see also Luke 8:41-56; John 11:1-44).  My study Bible says that they confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that god will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  Many people have exercised authority over the living, my study Bible says, but only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" (quoting from the Eastern Orthodox funeral service).  While Christ has power through His word alone (John 11:43), here it's observed that He also touched the coffin to show that His very body is life-giving.  Moreover, according to St. Ambrose of Milan, this event prefigures Christ's own Resurrection. Mary will weep for Jesus at the Cross, but her tears will be turned to joy by the Resurrection.  Here, a widow's only son is raised from the dead, and this puts an end to her weeping.

 

I find myself intrigued by the good qualities of this centurion which my study Bible describes.  It notes that the centurion, a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  Moreover, the qualities he displays include compassion, and a love for God and God's people.  He is also humble.  And Christ Himself praises the centurion's remarkable faith ("I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" )  Perhaps we might ask ourselves why we hear about this remarkable Roman centurion at this point in St. Luke's Gospel, for it is, indeed, an event to open our eyes when even Jesus points out a faith greater than any He's found in Israel!  One might begin with the events of our recent readings, in which Jesus has chosen His twelve apostles from among His disciples, and given the Sermon on the Plain, which is roughly similar to the Sermon on the Mount although not as extensive.  For in so doing, He has conveyed the gospel message that the apostles are to take out first throughout Israel, but eventually throughout the known world.  So, immediately after giving us all His gospel, Jesus encounters this centurion, who is not only Roman and a Gentile, but even an official of the hated Roman colonial regime which occupies Israel.  If this man's faith surpasses any Jesus has found in Israel, just imagine what that portends for the gospel message which will be sent out to all of the world.  One aspect of this man's faith is -- almost surprising in and of itself -- his understanding of authority and how it works.  Let us note here that Jesus' most persistent accusation and questioning will be over His authority to do the things He does.  He teaches with authority.  When He cleanses the temple in Jerusalem, the first question the religious leaders will bring to Him is the demand to know from where He got the authority to do so, and who gave that authority to Him.  But this man of authority, the centurion (who is a captain or commander over one hundred Roman soldiers) fully invests himself with unquestioned faith in Jesus' authority.  He has no problem giving over his trust entirely, perhaps even instinctively, to Jesus and Jesus' ability to command with authority.  Perhaps we're to understand that a man of authority, rank, and hierarchy in a chain of command like this centurion can recognize the same in Christ.  The centurion serves the emperor, and has a chain of command below and above himself; so he seems to automatically assume Christ has as well.  And this kind of almost instinctive trust is one aspect of faith.  The other qualities that make the centurion a remarkable man are also indispensable for Christian faith and the living of our faith:  he is compassionate, he loves God and God's people, and he is humble.  He has the humility of a man who understands authority and rank, and does not hesitate to put trust in another's authority whom he recognizes.  In the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark, Jesus will teach the apostles about the use of power in the Church by citing for negative contrast the example of the Gentiles.  Jesus teaches, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25-28; see also Mark 10:42-45).  Therefore, the example of this centurion, which is based so primarily upon his understanding and recognition of authority, is that much more remarkable.  For this Gentile Roman is cited as a splendid example of one who uses authority well and properly and in service to what is great faith in the sight of Jesus Christ.  Let us consider today what constitutes authority and its proper use, for here we have a great example as provided for us in the Gospels.  His respect for faith, his love of God, his service to God's people, his proper humility, and especially his recognition of Christ's authority -- all of these things turn for us this representative of the hated Roman occupiers and their military might into a splendid example of a Christian soldier, and one to make even Jesus marvel.   Let us consider what he is so willing to serve, and how he serves. 

 

 

 

Your faith has saved you. Go in peace

 

 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."  And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."  So he said, "Teacher, say it."  "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"    Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven the same loves little."  Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."  And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"  Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."

 

- Luke 7:36–50 

 

Yesterday we read that the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things that Jesus had preached and done.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children." 

 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."  And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."  So he said, "Teacher, say it."  "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"    Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven the same loves little."  Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."   My study Bible comments that this Pharisee, who invited Jesus to his house to eat, was intrigued by Christ.  This is evidenced by his invitation, but clearly the man does not believe in Jesus, as shown by his reaction to the Lord's mercy, and by his lack even of common hospitality ("You gave Me no kiss . . . You did not anoint My head with oil").  My study Bible says that this encounter with the sinful woman is an icon of the grace which is found only in the Church.  It cites St. Ambrose of Milan, who writes that through her, "the Church is justified as being greater than the Law, for the Law does not know the forgiveness of sins, nor the mystery in which secret sins are cleansed; therefore, what is lacking in the Law is perfected in the Gospel."

And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"  Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."  My study Bible explains here that it was beyond the bounds of the Law as the Pharisees understood it that man could forgive sins (see Luke 5:21).   But Christ is not a mere man; He is the very Lawgiver Himself.  St. Cyril of Alexandria asks, "Who could declare things that were above the Law, except the One who ordained the Law?"

I am intrigued by Christ's final statement in today's reading.  It's directed at the woman who anointed Him with oil.  He tells her, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."   Since the text tells us clearly that this was a woman in the city who was a sinner, we can presume that in her expression of faith and gratitude toward Christ is included the aspect of repentance on her part.  Moreover, that she was weeping, and her tears were falling, are classic signs that accompany repentance.  They are associated with a kind of mourning over sin, especially our own sin.  When Jesus tells her, "Your faith has saved you," this is a complete statement of effect.  But also, in some sense, it implies something continuing into the future, for faith is not something that is a one-moment decision only.  Faith implies a continuing future of acting upon its premise.  That she has faith in, and trust in who Christ is and who He says He is, means that there is a future into which she proceeds from here that is rooted in that faith.  "Go in peace" would seem to indicate the same, for it indicates a future road or path, a way to go forward for her, in Christ's peace.  So it seems to me that the faith of this woman implies not simply salvation and a kind of healing through the forgiveness of Christ on a one-time basis, but rather acts as an ongoing foundation for her life, as implied in the text.  Faith can't simply be something we decide we have one day and then pack it away like something in a drawer we don't open again, or seldom take out.  Faith implies a basis for our lives as a lived foundation every day, and this is the way she can "go in peace."  There is more than one story in the Gospels of a woman who anoints Jesus with oil; in John's Gospel there is a story where she is clearly identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus (John 12:1-8).  In patristic commentaries, some identified these stories as belonging to more than one occasion and perhaps as two or possibly three different women.  But the identities we can assign to these women stem from women known to this early ministry of Jesus, such as Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany.  Again, we infer that this woman was not simply pronounced saved without an ongoing participation in the community of believers; Christ's salvation in some sense indicates a pretext for the future, an ongoing engagement in salvation and faith.  Jesus gives her a premise, a hope, a new future.  In any case, His "go in peace" implies a willingness to sin no more, as He tells the woman taken in adultery (see John 8:1-11).  In Christ's peace there is a hope for her future, for this is really what it is to be saved, to enter the kingdom of God, which is within us and among us.  It is a place in which we may dwell and live our lives, and Christ's peace is something we seek to live every day.  

Do not weep

 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. 

 

- Luke 7:1–17 

 

Yesterday we read the final reading in the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus told a parable:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great." 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  My study Bible comments that this centurion, who is a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  It's important to note his characteristics:  he has compassion, a love for God and God's people, humility, and also great faith. 

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.   This is one of three resurrections performed by Jesus that are recorded in the Gospels.  See also Luke 8:41-56; John 11:1-44.  My study Bible suggests that they confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).   It notes that there are may who have exercised authority over the living.  But only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" (quoting from the Orthodox funeral service).  While Christ has power even through His word alone (John 11:43), here He also touched the coffin, which shows that His very body is life-giving.  Moreover, this event prefigures His own Resurrection.  My study Bible notes the commentary of St. Ambrose of Milan, who writes that as Mary would weep for Jesus at the Cross, yet her tears would be turned to joy by the Resurrection, here a widow's only son is raised form the dead, which puts an end to her weeping.  

In the two stories coupled in today's reading, Jesus restores to two people a person who is dear to them, a beloved one.  In the case of the first story, that of the centurion, what we're told is that this is a man of authority who clearly recognizes the authority in Jesus.  The centurion's servant, we're told, was dear to him.  The word translated as dear has as its root a word that means "honor."  That is, the servant is highly honored, valued, precious to the centurion.  In modern Greek usage, it has come to mean trustworthy, another important aspect of what it is to be a valued and precious servant.  The centurion clearly does not want to lose him.   Let's note that the centurion himself is also valued in the community, and considered honorable and trustworthy by the people, who praise that he is "deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  In turn, he trusts in Christ, clearly having faith in the authority apparent to him in Christ.  Jesus says, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  We remember that the word for faith has at its root the word for "trust."  These are important things to observe and understand about the centurion, and a key to how Christ views our own faith.  How do we view Christ's authority?  Do we trust in it?  The second story is about the woman called the widow of Nain.  This story appears only in Luke's Gospel.  In this case, the person at the center of the story is as far away from the centurion in terms of social status and power as one could get.  She is a widow, and not only is she a widow, but she has lost her only son, the sole source of her support in the world.  The crowd is with her, presumably mourning, and Christ is -- as He is many times in the Gospels -- moved with compassion for her.  He tells her, "Do not weep."   These actions are also found in echoes in the story of the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44); Jesus is moved by this weeping woman, He has compassion for her, and seeks to comfort and take away her weeping.  Notice the tender movement in this healing, almost understanding:  rather than healing from a distance or merely with a word, Jesus first came and touched the open coffin,  and only then did He give a command, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  And the sound of Christ's voice and command is truly a scene that reminds us of the ultimate, universal resurrection, when this young man sits up and begins to speak.  So we have both the universally astonishing -- and yet the tender also -- in this resurrection story, for of course, the widow has back her precious son, a deeply intimate joy.   Each one rewarded in the particular way he and she are found by Christ.  In Psalm 18, we read:  "With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; With the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks."   With the authoritative, He is authority; with the tender, he is merciful; but in each case restoring life and giving what is precious back to one who loves and who mourns.  "Do not weep," Jesus says to the widow of Nain.  In so doing, He gives us all cause for joy, and the recognition of His authority of life over death.

Your faith has saved you. Go in peace

 

 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."  And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."  So he said, "Teacher, say it."  "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"  Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."  Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."  And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"  Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."

 

- Luke 7:36-50 

 

On Saturday, we read that the disciples of John the Baptist reported to him concerning all the things that were happening in Christ's ministry.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children." 

 

 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."  And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."  So he said, "Teacher, say it."  "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"  Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."  Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."   My study Bible comments on today's reading that this Pharisee is intrigued by Christ, which is shown by his invitation to Him.  But he clearly does not believe in Him, as shown by his reaction to Christ's mercy ("This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner"), and by his lack even of common hospitality shown toward Jesus ("I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil").  My study Bible adds that this encounter with the sinful woman is an icon of the grace found only in the Church.  Through her, comments St. Ambrose of Milan, "the Church is justified as being greater than the law, for the law does not know the forgiveness of sins, nor the mystery in which secret sins are cleansed; therefore, what is lacking in the Law is perfected in the Gospel."

And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"  Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."   According to my study Bible, that a man could forgive sins was beyond the bounds of the Law as the Pharisees understood it (see Luke 5:21).  But Christ was not a mere man, but rather the very Lawgiver Himself.  St. Cyril of Alexandria asks, "Who could declare things that were above the Law, except the One who ordained the Law?"

In our previous reading, on Saturday (see above), Jesus acknowledged the criticisms He (as well as John the Baptist) receives from the Pharisees and lawyers:  He's a friend of tax collectors and sinners!  He's a glutton and a winebibber!   On Saturday we read that even the tax collectors justified God, for they'd been baptized by John the Baptist, but not the Pharisees and the lawyers.  Here in today's reading, Jesus is invited to dine with a Pharisee, but is not treated with the courtesy usually given to honored guests in a home.  The one who does show Him  great courtesy and welcome -- and love -- is the sinful woman.  We don't know who this woman was; she's not the only woman in the Gospels who anointed Christ with oil.  But we can see her great act of love and honor.  In the anointing itself we can see the glory that she gives to Christ.  This gift, according to the commentary of St. Clement of Alexandria, is the most precious thing she had, her perfume, the one thing fitting to pay the greatest honor to Christ.  St. Ambrose writes, "The grace of many flowers gathered into a bouquet scatters different sweetness of fragrance. Perhaps none but the church alone can produce that ointment. The church has innumerable flowers of different fragrance."  Let us note that she first stood behind Christ, weeping, and then began to wash His feet with her tears, before she anointed His feet with this ointment.  If we understand the symbolism clear to the ancient world, her weeping and tears are evidence of her repentance for her life and the way she has lived it.  The perfume is akin to the healing ointments of the ancient world, a pure olive oil base with essences of flowers added, and so it is seen as a comfort to Christ.  The washing of His feet, drying with her hair, and anointing with oil is seen as a way to comfort the One who will comfort others.   We may even see that, as Christ Himself took on the likeness of a sinner (scandalous to the religious authorities, and crucified like the lowest of criminals), so this woman, appearing in the likeness of a sinner, reveals the Church in her love for Christ.  What today's passage undoubtedly shows us is the power of love that must be at work in our faith, for it is love that has truly saved her.  As Jesus pronounces it, love is the key to forgiveness.  For how do we show love to someone but through loyalty and faithfulness to them?  This is an important key to understanding what faith or belief means to Christ.  In John's Gospel, Jesus preaches to the people who've followed Him, after He fed them in the wilderness:  "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."  And they respond, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?"  Jesus tells them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."  It's important to understand how "belief" is meant to work in this context.  This kind of belief is more than intellectual assent to something.  The word for "faith" has as its root the word that means "trust," and that is the Greek word translated as "believe."  But what Jesus is asking for may be better translated as "faithfulness," as many scholars have commented.  That is, to be faithful to His teachings, to be faithful to what He asks of us, to be loyal.  And all of these things are signs of love, visible aspects of what it means to actively love someone, to be true to them.  So when Jesus teaches the parable on debts forgiven, He's speaking of this kind of relationship of love and trust and loyalty.  What makes covenant?  This woman clearly expresses love for Christ with her tears, as He has moved her to this great evidence of repentance in her desire for relationship with Him.  If we grasp the love of Christ, it is there repentance may happen, where shame is dropped for transformation instead.  She also gives the greatest gift she can give in terms of something valuable and precious to her.  And He responds with forgiveness, as He is the One capable of forgiving sins.  In a sense, her expression of love is a promise, one that must be ongoing to continue in relationship.  In the end, He does not say that her love has saved her, although the topic here is love in Jesus' dialogue with the Pharisee.  But linking the two concepts, He says to her, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."   Let us take this journey into faith and forgiveness, and understand more deeply how faith must include love and loyalty, for without this understanding we cannot understand Jesus or His teachings to us.

Wisdom is justified by all her children

 

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  

'We played the flute for you,

And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

And you did not weep.'

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."

 

- Luke 7:18-35 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus concluded all His sayings (the Sermon on the Plain) in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  My study Bible comments here that John the Baptist was imprisoned soon after Jesus was baptized (Mark 1:14).  Although John had directed his disciples to follow Christ (John 1:29-31, 35-37), some remained with him.  While John's own faith was undoubtedly strengthen by the signs Jesus performed, my study Bible says, in patristic commentary this encounter is universally seen as a means John used to convince his remaining disciples that Jesus was indeed the Coming One.

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:   'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.   Jesus' quote regarding John the Baptist is from Malachi 3:1.  By quoting from the prophets, Jesus is clearly speaking of the great honor due to John the Baptist, who lived in poverty but is nonetheless exalted by God.  In contrast to those who are clothed in soft garments, John wore animal skins with a leather belt, and ate what nature provided (see Matthew 3:4).  His radical poverty defined his complete and total dedication to God.  My study Bible comments that although John was the greatest prophet, his earthly life and ministry remained in the period of the old covenant.  The new covenant so far surpasses the old that the least in the kingdom is greater than the greatest outside it.  This does not imply that John will not be resurrected to the Kingdom, but only that his life on earth came before something far superior.  Regarding those who had been baptized with the baptism of John, see Luke 3:7-14.

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  See Mark 11:27-33.  

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not weep.'"  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'"  My study Bible explains that the children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another are playing a game of the period.   It was a game played in two groups.  One group would mimic musicians, and the other group refused to respond appropriately to the type of music that was played, either for dancing or mourning.  It notes that the Pharisees were so rigid in their religion that they were unable to respond to and engage the world around them.  Therefore, they rejected John as being too mournful and ascetic, and Christ as being too merciful and joyous.

"But wisdom is justified by all her children."  My study Bible notes that in spite of being rejected by the Pharisees, both John and Christ are justified, not by the opinions of men, but by their children, those who would come to believe and be faithful.

 

Jesus says in response to the Pharisees and the lawyers,  "But wisdom is justified by all her children."  The men He addresses first of all condemn Christ for the joyfulness of His ministry and condemn John the Baptisn for his asceticism.  Christ's response is that in neither case are they correct, for wisdom works through a myriad of appearances in the world, a pantheon of saints who each embody holy wisdom in their lives and live those choices to glorify God in more varieties than we can understand.  It seems to me that each person has a particular way to serve God, and that we can see this in the variety of saints and their ministries and lives in the history of the Church.  As each one is born and lives in particular circumstances, so each will be called by God to serve in particular ways fitting to the time and place and the choices available to them.  So one thing that we can surely learn from Christ's teachings in today's reading is that we cannot prejudge nor quantify exactly what holiness will do or looks like.  We can see this in Jesus' chastising of those who apparently would look upon John as failure or false prophet now that he was imprisoned.  There were many at the time, we remember, who fancied that he was the expected Messiah, although John himself denied that (see John 1:19-28).  I love Jesus' vivid description in His castigation of those who would now reject John for the hardship of his life:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet."  What did they go out to see in the wilderness where John was preaching and baptizing?  A timid weak reed shaken by any wind that blew, or the man who stood up to the king?  Is John in the king's court, or is he in his prison?  The rough John did not bend as a reed, and never wore gorgeous apparel or lived in luxury, but rather suffered a gory death through the games and feasting of that court!  See Matthew 14:3-12.  But although the ministries and persons of John the Baptist and Jesus seem quite different, they are both called by God and follow God in what they do and how they live their lives and conduct their ministries.  Each has his role to play.  Only Jesus is the Christ, and John has his own important role to play in the story of salvation, as the one who prepared the way for Christ.  John served as the model for the early monastics, especially the desert monks, who would renounce all for the sake of following God.  His asceticism likewise provided inspiration.  But Jesus here mimics those who criticize Him, and we get a very different picture of His ministry:  to them He is "a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"   In this picture of the opposite of John's rigorous asceticism and poverty, Jesus seemingly makes quite a spectacle of Himself in the eyes of the Pharisees and the lawyers.  In the eyes of these religious authorities, both He and John are not up to their standards of behavior.  But Jesus declares the opposite, that "wisdom is justified by all her children."  What fruits do these ministries bear?  What spiritual fruits grow from John and Jesus?  How do they inspire their followers -- do their children glorify God?    The religious leaders seem to think that it is up to them to fashion what glorifies God and what does not -- to dictate what wisdom is and does, and does not.  But they fail to honor God by failing to see what the people have seen -- even the tax collectors -- in the figures of both Jesus and John.  In emptying their lives to God, each one is transfigured in the power of God, right to the end, and into a fulfillment of an image given by God.  So they form models for our lives, regardless of what each appears to be.  For wisdom is justified by all her children.  Jesus says, "Blessed is he who is not offended by Me."  Let us consider how we honor wisdom, in whatever form wisdom takes.

 

 

 

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep"

 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

- Luke 7:1-17 

 

In our recent readings, Jesus has been preaching what is called the Sermon on the Plain (as Luke tells us that He "stood on a level place").  Yesterday, we read the final teachings in this sermon, which began with a parable:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great."

 

  Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.   My study Bible comments that this centurion, who is a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  It takes note of his greatly worthy characteristics.  He is compassionate (his servant was dear to him), and has love for God and God's people (he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue).  He is humble in his deference to Christ (Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof).  Finally, he shows great faith in his confidence in Christ and Christ's authority and power (Jesus says, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!").

 

 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  My study Bible tells us that this is one of three resurrections performed by Christ which are recorded in the Gospels (see also Luke 8:41-55; John 11:1-44).  It notes that these resurrection stories confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  Many people have exercised authority over the living; but only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" (quoting from the Eastern Orthodox funeral service).  While Christ has power through His word alone (John 11:43), here He also touched the coffin to show that His very body is lifegiving.  According to St. Ambrose of Milan, this even also prefigures Christ's own Resurrection.  As Mary would weep for Jesus at the Cross, yet her tears would be turned to joy by the Resurrection; here a widow's only son is raised from the dead, putting an end to her weeping.  

 

 It's interesting to note the differences in the two stories given in today's reading.  The first is that of the centurion and his servant.  This centurion is wise in the ways of the institutions of the world and their protocols.  He's a commander of men within a distinct hierarchy in the supreme military of the time, one that revolutionized the notion of order.  He is also very humble, respectful of the Jews and their faith, and also of Jesus Christ.  Let us note that the text tells us that his servant is dear to him.  Not only is he respectful of the Jews and of Jesus, he also has compassion in his relation to his servant.  This is not a man for whom those under his command or in his household are interchangeable underlings.  In short, his respect and compassion show us his regard for community, his righteousness.  But it is noteworthy that in the case of that healing, he sends emissaries, the elders of the synagogue, to plead his case to Jesus.  He is both prudent and respectful.  And if we look closely, to send the elders of the Jews to Jesus is to ask others, in this sense, to intercede in prayer for him.  This intercession by others who've been asked to do so is simply magnified by the great trust, respect, and honor that the centurion shows to Jesus subsequently.  So much so, that Jesus proclaims to all, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  But in the story of the widow of Nain, an entirely different process happens.   In that case, Jesus comes upon the funeral of the only son of a widow, and when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her.  It's not the only time in the Gospels when Jesus is moved with compassion by the sight of women weeping over their departed.  In John 11:32-36, we may see Jesus' response to the sight of Mary (the sister of Lazarus) weeping, and all the mourners with her.  In this case, Mary is no stranger, and, as is noted in the text, Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters.  But there is another similarity here, in that the sisters have lost their only brother -- who is presumably the male head of the household; and the widow of Nain has lost her only son.  In terms of worldly authority and power, she is among the least of the world -- and so quite the opposite of the centurion.  I think that we have to appreciate the economics of the time, for even today in the most developed of countries, despite social and economic changes, the presence of a loving male protector and provider in a household still makes a great difference to all concerned.  In this case, we can presume that she was dependent upon this only son for many things, including a place of honor in the household.  In John's Gospel, we should be sensitive to the fact that, at the Crucifixion, Jesus left His mother in care to His "beloved disciple," John, whereupon John immediately took her to his own home (John 19:25-27).   So these two healings, paired together, tell us something essential.  Regardless of how we come to Christ, whether we are outsiders or insiders, whether we are people of authority or those without any power at all, whether others are praying for us or we feel alone and abandoned, God sees us.  God hears, and God responds.  It is most essential to observe how Christ is the God who sees, because He both notices and praises the centurion for his faith, and has compassion when He sees the weeping widow of Nain.  What this teaches is that regardless of how we come to Christ, or where we are in terms of faith, whether we are great or small, or even when we think God is absent -- God is always watching.  Christ is the Lord who sees, the one whose compassion means He knows our hearts and also our sorrows.  In the text the word translated as compassion comes from the Greek word for spleen, but means a depth of feeling in the core of the body, in one's "gut," so to speak.   When Jesus is moved with compassion He is deeply affected, even physically so, and not simply a detached observer.  He is a God who feels what we feel.  Indeed, in the compassion of the saints and of our Lord we might consider that there are times when we are numb, but the One who knows our hearts feels for us what we cannot feel.  Let us remember the Lord who is with us always.