Fr Kevin Kilgore

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Gospel: Luke 8: 1-3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another,
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others
who provided for them out of their resources.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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No two journeys of faith are the same.

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Consider the journeys of those mentioned in today’s Gospel.

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There’s John, one of the Twelve, who never seemed to struggle with faith. He was the “beloved” disciple, who followed Jesus all the way to Calvary.

Maybe I’m like John, a life-long believer. Steadfast in faith, even in times of trial.

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Then there’s Peter. He saw the same things John did; Peter witnessed Jesus perform miracle after miracle.

But it never seemed to be enough. Peter doubted; he waivered in faith like a branch in the wind.

Maybe I’m more like Peter. I want to believe so badly, but struggle. One day I’m totally committed to the Lord. The next day I deny ever knowing him.

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Then there’s Mary Magdalene. Scripture tells us seven demons were driven out of her. Meaning, she was deeply wounded when she encountered Jesus.

But Jesus healed her and offered her a new beginning. Maybe that’s me. The Lord turned my life upside down, right side up.

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There are more than a dozen other people included in the Gospel today. Our faith journeys may be as different as theirs.

But we’re all destined for the same place. In order to help us make it home, the Lord meets us where we’re at, and invites us to take another step forward in faith.

What does that look like for me today?

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Image credits: (1) Church Sermon Series Ideas (2) The Road to Emmaus, Daniel Bonnell (3) St. Mary’s Press

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Gospel: Luke 7: 36-50

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,
and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
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,
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.
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.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;
one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.
Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
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.
You did not give me a kiss,
but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil,
but she anointed my feet with ointment.
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.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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When was the last time you had a good cry?

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Crying makes us vulnerable. 

Certainly, we can cry tears of joy, but most often our tears reveal there is something broken inside of us.

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Such is the case of the woman in the Gospel.

She’s known for her “sinful behavior,” meaning she was likely a prostitute. But years of abuse have left her feeling broken inside.

This was why she was so receptive to Christ’s teachings of mercy and forgiveness, because Jesus offered her what no other man had before – a new beginning. 

Jesus is now all she has. 

And she’s so grateful for the love he’s shown her, that she breaks through the crowds without any fear of public embarrassment, falls at his feet, and before she can anoint them with her precious perfume, she breaks down and bathes them with her tears.

Then she gently dries his feet with her hair.

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Was this the first time they ever met? Did this woman hear Jesus preach before? Did she have a private, unrecorded conversation with him?

We’ll never know. 

But her dramatic actions are evidence of a life forever changed. 

Imagine how many times she will share her story in the years to come. Imagine how many lives she can change because of her faith. She’s a story of amazing grace, becoming an example for us all.

When Jesus changes our life, we cannot help but fall at his feet and then tell the world.

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Image credits: (1) She, Alison Dismore (2) A Disciples’ Guide to Common Sense (3) A-mused.

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Gospel: Luke 2: 33-35

Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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“You yourself a sword shall pierce.”

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From the moment Mary accepted the invitation to become the Mother of God a sword pierces her heart.

First was the sword of Joseph’s doubt. How could Mary be pregnant? How could she betray him?

Then the sword of rejection as she is forced to give birth to Jesus in a stable, because there’s no room for her in the inn.

Then the sword of fear as Mary and Joseph must flee to Egypt, fearing that King Herod will murder her newborn child.

When Jesus turns twelve, Mary’s heart is pierced with a sword of confusion.

Thinking she’s lost her son in the Temple, she spends days looking for him. When she finds him, Jesus doesn’t apologize; he simply says, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” 

A confusing rebuke at best.

Finally, the sharpest sword of all: the moment when Mary witnesses the crucifixion of her son. I cannot imagine anything worse than that.

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Although Mary’s journey with Jesus was filled with grace, it wasn’t easy; often enough, it pierced her heart with grief. 

But she never gives up. Wherever her journey with Jesus leads her, she remains by his side, offering us all a model in perseverance.

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When our own hearts are pierced with grief, may we follow Mary’s example, staying close to Christ.

It’s the safest place to be.

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Image credits: (1) Taylor Marshall (2) Jenny Norton, Catholic Life (3) Inspirational Christian Pictures, Pinterest