DWBC
Divine Word Biblical Center
Lectio Divina
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C)
Luke 7. 36-8. 3
The Joy of Being Forgiven
OPENING PRAYER
You can make your own prayer or use the following
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
I.LECTIO
Introduction to the Gospel
The Gospel reading hearten us with the beautiful message of a merciful, loving and forgiving God. To the adulterous woman who bathed Jesus’ feet with her tears and anointed them with precious oil, the grace of divine mercy was bestowed. God’s forgiveness is always present to the contrite. Moreover, the overwhelming divine mercy enables the forgiven one to love greatly in return. Divine forgiveness generates abounding love.
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We read and study the gospel according to Luke [7.36-8.3]
36: A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
37: Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
38: she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
39: When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”
40: Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41: “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.
42: Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?”
43: Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44: Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45: You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
46: You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.
47: So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
48: He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49: The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50: But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
1: Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve
2: and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
3: Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.