Author: MtCarmel

In the first reading from Samuel, King David is chastised by the prophet Nathan for his sinfulness. David, recognizing and acknowledging his sin, says, “I have sinned against the LORD.” He is forgiven. That same theme is followed in the Gospel of Luke, which tells the story of the sinful woman who enters the house of Simon the Pharisee to honor Jesus. Like David she recognizes her sinfulness, and Jesus says to her, “Your sins are forgiven…Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The good steward understands the importance of spiritual healing.  The Sacrament of Penance is the Sacrament of this spiritual healing. It involves contrition, confession to a priest, absolution by the priest, and penance.

Some theologians have referred to reconciliation as “the more difficult Baptism.”  None other than St. Ambrose, one of the original four doctors of the Church, drew a comparison between Baptism and Reconciliation: “There are water and tears; the water of Baptism and the tears of repentance.” We, too, need to strive to hear “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

In today’s second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Paul refers again to his own dramatic conversion. Yet, there is something deeper in his words. Paul wrote the letter because divisions had developed in the Church he, Paul, had established in Galatia. At the base of the disagreement was whether or not Gentiles had to conform to Jewish law to become and be Christians. Paul makes it clear that they do not.

This has a much more profound meaning for the Galatian community, and for us today as well. According to Paul, a person of faith is transformed (as he personally was) and that change means that the convert — the steward if you will — has a different motivation than she or he had previously.