L'Evangile dans ma vie/ The Gospel in my life

Gospel text

(Lk 8,16-18): 

Jesus said to his disciples, «No one, after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light. In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret that shall not be known clearly. Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them».

The Application

Jesus sees in each and every one of us the light of the world and He desires that we burn the whole world with this fire of love, so that the ignorance and darkness be removed, and the whole world be illumined by His grace abundantly.

The problem is that we don’t believe that we carry in us the Light, Jesus and we wish to be Peter and Paul, like great lamps than to be little candle in the darkness. Jesus knows that even in this little candle, we can light up the world. He is reminding us that we may not be discouraged of our smallness, rather put all the confidence in His goodness.

In reality, the light and the lamp-stand are we ourselves. The more we realise that Jesus lives in us, the more we will be able to put this lamp of faith in evidence. By consequence, the better will be the world around us, because they will see the light (Jesus) in us, and this Light will help them to avoid darkness, and they will walk in the light.

The faith that we have may not be a great or bright one. However, the more we put this faith in front, the better will be our own faith. If we refuse to put this faith in evidence, then, the same that we believe to have, may be dying miserably in us, without we be aware of its death.

Action of the day: put the light you have at the service of the world.  

«He puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light»

+ Fr. Joaquim FONT i Gassol
(Igualada, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, a Gospel as brief as this one, is all the same rich in themes appealing to our attention. In the first place, “to give light”: everything is clear in God's eyes! Second great theme: Graces keep in line, if we are faithful to one we receive one blessing after another: «Gratia pro Gratia» (Jn 1:16). And last, human language for divine and imperishable things.

God's Light for those joining the Church! Christian mothers, whispering in their children's ear, have been teaching them for centuries, expressive words, but most of all, they have been doing it with the “light” of their good examples. They have also sown the typical popular and evangelic wisdom, compressed in many proverbs, as full of wisdom as of faith. One of these sayings is this: «Throw some light on, not smoke». St. Matthew tells us: «(...) and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven» (Mt 5:15-16).

Examining our conscience at dusk can be compared to the shopkeeper who cashes up to check the fruit of his work. He does not start by asking: —How much have I lost today? He rather wonders: —How much money did I make today? And immediately after, he may add: —How can I make more tomorrow, what can I do to improve? To finalize our working day we may end it up with a thanksgiving prayer and, in contrast, with an act of love and regret. —I regret not having loved more and hope with illusion, to start, tomorrow, a new day to please Our Lord, who always sees me, comes with me and loves me so much. —I want to give more light while diminishing the smoke of my love's fire.

In family evenings, parents and grandparents have forged —and still do— the personality and compassion of today's children and tomorrow's men. It is worth it! It is urgent! The Virgin Mary, Morning Star, Virgin of Dawn preceding the Light of the Sun-Jesus, guides us and gives us her hand. «O Happy Virgin! It is impossible that he whom you have looked at, gets lost» (St. Anselm).

Gospel text

(Lk 8,16-18): 

Jesus said to his disciples, «No one, after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light. In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret that shall not be known clearly. Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them».

The Application

Jesus sees in each and every one of us the light of the world and He desires that we burn the whole world with this fire of love, so that the ignorance and darkness be removed, and the whole world be illumined by His grace abundantly.

The problem is that we don’t believe that we carry in us the Light, Jesus and we wish to be Peter and Paul, like great lamps than to be little candle in the darkness. Jesus knows that even in this little candle, we can light up the world. He is reminding us that we may not be discouraged of our smallness, rather put all the confidence in His goodness.

In reality, the light and the lamp-stand are we ourselves. The more we realise that Jesus lives in us, the more we will be able to put this lamp of faith in evidence. By consequence, the better will be the world around us, because they will see the light (Jesus) in us, and this Light will help them to avoid darkness, and they will walk in the light.

The faith that we have may not be a great or bright one. However, the more we put this faith in front, the better will be our own faith. If we refuse to put this faith in evidence, then, the same that we believe to have, may be dying miserably in us, without we be aware of its death.

Action of the day: put the light you have at the service of the world.  

«He puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light»

+ Fr. Joaquim FONT i Gassol
(Igualada, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, a Gospel as brief as this one, is all the same rich in themes appealing to our attention. In the first place, “to give light”: everything is clear in God's eyes! Second great theme: Graces keep in line, if we are faithful to one we receive one blessing after another: «Gratia pro Gratia» (Jn 1:16). And last, human language for divine and imperishable things.

God's Light for those joining the Church! Christian mothers, whispering in their children's ear, have been teaching them for centuries, expressive words, but most of all, they have been doing it with the “light” of their good examples. They have also sown the typical popular and evangelic wisdom, compressed in many proverbs, as full of wisdom as of faith. One of these sayings is this: «Throw some light on, not smoke». St. Matthew tells us: «(...) and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven» (Mt 5:15-16).

Examining our conscience at dusk can be compared to the shopkeeper who cashes up to check the fruit of his work. He does not start by asking: —How much have I lost today? He rather wonders: —How much money did I make today? And immediately after, he may add: —How can I make more tomorrow, what can I do to improve? To finalize our working day we may end it up with a thanksgiving prayer and, in contrast, with an act of love and regret. —I regret not having loved more and hope with illusion, to start, tomorrow, a new day to please Our Lord, who always sees me, comes with me and loves me so much. —I want to give more light while diminishing the smoke of my love's fire.

In family evenings, parents and grandparents have forged —and still do— the personality and compassion of today's children and tomorrow's men. It is worth it! It is urgent! The Virgin Mary, Morning Star, Virgin of Dawn preceding the Light of the Sun-Jesus, guides us and gives us her hand. «O Happy Virgin! It is impossible that he whom you have looked at, gets lost» (St. Anselm).

Texte de l'Évangile

(Lc 8,16-18): 

«Personne, après avoir allumé une lampe, ne la cache sous un couvercle ou ne la met en dessous du lit; on la met sur le lampadaire pour que ceux qui entrent voient la lumière. Car rien n'est caché qui ne doive paraître au grand jour ; rien n'est secret qui ne doive être connu et venir au grand jour. Faites attention à la manière dont vous écoutez. Car celui qui a recevra encore, et celui qui n'a rien se fera enlever même ce qu'il paraît avoir».

L’Application

Jésus nous montre un bon exemple de la vie quotidienne, pour que nous comprenions son message et recevions sa grâce en abondance.  Nous sommes cette lampe dont Jésus nous parle aujourd’hui avec les dons et les talents qui sont les véritables lampes du monde. Et nous sommes la personne qui sommes chargés de la mettre sur un lampadaire, pour que les autres en profitent et que ce monde soit illuminé par la grâce de Dieu. Prenons-nous consciences que nous sommes la lumière du monde ?

«On la met sur le lampadaire pour que ceux qui entrent voient la lumière»

+ Abbé Joaquim FONT i Gassol
(Igualada, Barcelona, Espagne)

Aujourd'hui, cet Évangile si bref est riche en thèmes qui attirent notre attention. En premier lieu, “faire la lumière”: tout est évident aux yeux de Dieu! Deuxième grand thème: les Grâces sont entrelacées, la fidélité à l'une attire les autres: «Gratia pro Gratia» (Jn 1,16). Enfin, voici un langage humain pour des choses divines et perdurables.

Lumière pour ceux qui entrent dans l'Église! Depuis des siècles, les mères chrétiennes ont enseigné dans l'intimité leurs enfants par des paroles expressives, mais surtout avec la “lumière” de leur bon exemple. Elles ont aussi semé avec cette franchise typique du peuple et de l'Évangile, recueillie dans nombre de dictons pleins de sagesse et de foi. L'un d'entre eux dit ceci: «Illuminer et non disséminer». Saint Matthieu nous dit: «(…) elle brille pour tous ceux qui sont dans la maison. Ainsi votre lumière doit-elle briller devant les hommes, afin qu'ils voient vos bonnes œuvres et glorifient votre Père qui est dans les cieux» (Mt 5,15-16).

Notre examen de conscience en fin journée peut se comparer aux comptes de l'épicier qui fait sa caisse pour voir le produit de son travail. Il ne commence pas en se demandant: —Combien ai-je perdu? Mais plutôt: —Qu'est-ce que j'ai gagné? Puis: —Comment pourrais-je gagner davantage demain, que puis-je améliorer? La révision de notre journée finit dans l'action de grâces et, par contraste, en un acte d'amour douloureux. —Je souffre de ne pas avoir aimé plus et j'espère, plein d'ardeur, étrenner demain un nouveau jour pour plaire davantage à Notre Seigneur, qui toujours me voit, m'accompagne et m’aime tant. —Je veux apporter plus de lumière et diminuer la fumée du feu de mon amour.

Dans les soirées familiales, parents et grands-parents ont forgé —et forgent encore— la personnalité et la piété des enfants d'aujourd'hui et des hommes de demain. Ça en vaut la peine! C'est urgent! Marie, Étoile du matin, Vierge de l'aube qui précède Jésus, Lumière du Soleil, guide-nous et donne-nous la main. «Ô Vierge bienheureuse! Il est impossible que se perde celui sur qui tu as posé ton regard» (Saint Anselme).

Gospel text

(Mt 9,9-13): 

As Jesus moved on, He saw a man named Matthew at his seat in the custom-house, and He said to him, «Follow me». And Matthew got up and followed him. Now it happened, while Jesus was at table in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other sinners joined Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, «Why is it that your master eats with those sinners and tax collectors?». When Jesus heard this he said, «Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and find out what this means: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners».

«I did not come to call the righteous but sinners»

Fr. Joan PUJOL i Balcells
(La Seu d'Urgell, Lleida, Spain)

Today, we celebrate St. Matthew's festivity, the apostle and evangelist. He himself relates his conversion. He was sitting in the custom-house and Jesus invited him to follow Him. Matthew —goes on his Gospel— «got up and followed him» (Mt 9:9). With Matthew the group of the Twelve welcomes a different man altogether, both for his upbringing and for his social position and wealth. His father made him study economics so as to be able to fix the price of wheat and wine; of the fish Peter and Andrew, and the Zebedeus' sons, would bring him, and of the precious pearls the Gospel speaks about.

His profession, as a tax collector, was frowned upon. Those practicing it were considered as publicans and sinners. He was at the service of king Herod, lord of Galilee, a king hated by the people and who is depicted in the New Testament as adulterous, John the Baptist's murderer and who, on Good Friday, bemocks Jesus. What would Matthew think when he was due to render accounts to king Herod? Matthew's conversion must have meant a true release for him, as proved by the banquet he organizes by inviting publicans and sinners. It was his own way of showing his gratitude to the Master for having been able to get rid of a most miserable position and find the true happiness. St. Bede the Venerable, while commenting on Matthew's conversion, writes: «This conversion of one tax collector gave many men, those from his own profession and other sinners, an example of repentance and pardon (...). No sooner was he converted than Matthew drew after him a whole crowd of sinners along the same road to salvation».

In his conversion we can see God's mercy, as shown by Jesus' answer to the Pharisees' criticism: «What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners» (Mt 9:13).

Texte de l'Évangile

(Mt 9,9-13): 

Jésus, sortant de Capharnaüm, vit un homme, du nom de Matthieu, assis à son bureau de publicain (collecteur d'impôts). Il lui dit: «Suis-moi». L'homme se leva et le suivit. Comme Jésus était à table à la maison, voici que beaucoup de publicains et de pécheurs vinrent prendre place avec lui et ses disciples. Voyant cela, les pharisiens disaient aux disciples: «Pourquoi votre maître mange-t-il avec les publicains et les pécheurs?». Jésus, qui avait entendu, déclara: «Ce ne sont pas les gens bien portants qui ont besoin du médecin, mais les malades. Allez apprendre ce que veut dire cette parole: C'est la miséricorde que je désire, et non les sacrifices. Car je suis venu appeler non pas les justes, mais les pécheurs».

«Car je suis venu appeler non pas les justes, mais les pécheurs»

Abbé Joan PUJOL i Balcells
(La Seu d'Urgell, Lleida, Espagne)

Aujourd'hui, nous fêtons saint Matthieu, apôtre et évangéliste. Lui-même nous raconte dans son Évangile sa conversion. Il était assis à l'endroit où l'on collectait l'impôt et Jésus l'invita à le suivre. Matthieu -dit l'Évangile- «se leva et le suivit» (Mt 9,9). Avec lui, s'adjoint au groupe des Douze un homme totalement différent des autres apôtres, tant par sa formation que par sa position sociale et sa fortune. Son père lui avait fait faire des études d'économie pour pouvoir fixer le prix du blé et du vin, des poissons que Pierre, André et les fils de Zébédée devaient lui apporter, et des perles précieuses dont parle l'Évangile.

Son métier de collecteur d'impôts était mal vu. Ceux qui l'exerçaient étaient considérés comme des publicains et des pécheurs. Il était au service du roi Hérode, maître de la Galilée, un roi haï par son peuple et que le Nouveau Testament nous présente comme adultère, assassin de Jean-Baptiste et se moquant de Jésus le Vendredi Saint. À quoi songeait Matthieu quand il allait rendre des comptes au roi Hérode? Sa conversion dût supposer pour Matthieu une véritable libération, comme le montre le banquet auquel il invita publicains et pécheurs. Ce fut sa manière de prouver sa reconnaissance au Maître d'être sorti d'une situation misérable et d'avoir trouvé le vrai bonheur. Saint Bède le Vénérable écrit, en commentant la conversion de saint Matthieu: «La conversion d'un collecteur d'impôts donne un exemple de pénitence et d'indulgence à d'autres collecteurs d'impôts et pécheurs (…). Dès le premier instant de sa conversion, il attire à Lui, c'est-à-dire au salut, tout un groupe de pécheurs».

Dans sa conversion se manifeste la miséricorde de Dieu comme l'indiquent les paroles de Jésus face aux critiques des pharisiens: «C'est la miséricorde que je désire, et non les sacrifices. Car je suis venu appeler non pas les justes, mais les pécheurs» (Mt 9,13).

Texte de l'Évangile

(Lc 8,1-3): 

Ensuite Jésus passait à travers villes et villages, proclamant la Bonne Nouvelle du règne de Dieu. Les Douze l'accompagnaient, ainsi que des femmes qu'il avait délivrées d'esprits mauvais et guéries de leurs maladies: Marie, appelée Madeleine (qui avait été libérée de sept démons), Jeanne, femme de Kouza, l'intendant d'Hérode, Suzanne, et beaucoup d'autres, qui les aidaient de leurs ressources.

L’Application

Je voudrais insister trois points importants :

Comme La Trinity, nous voyons en Jésus qui accomplisse la mission confiée avec ses disciples, une activité communautaire. Il est important de savoir travailler avec les autres, et il ne faut jamais le faire seul. ( Je ne nie pas la possibilité qu’une mission soit confiée par le Seigneur à une seule personne )  

Chacun est invité à faire non pas tout ce que nous pouvons, plutôt tout ce que nous devons. Jésus Lui-même a fait la même manière. Il a pu faire beaucoup de miracle, a pu accomplir la mission seul, pourtant Il fait tout ce que le Père lui a demandé de faire. Si le Seigneur nous demande d’annoncer la Bonne Nouvelle directement, il faut le faire. Si le Seigneur nous demande de le faire indirectement, en soutenant la mission matériellement ou personnellement, il faut le faire.

Tous sont demandés de s’engager, selon sa disponibilité et limite et de  participer concrètement à la mission de l’Eglise, car nous sommes l’Eglise du Seigneur. Il faut toujours vérifier, si la mission est appropriée ou confiée. Comme nous dit saint Paul, Dieu nous appel, Il nous consacre et Il nous envoi, car la mission appartient à Lui seul.  

Ecoutons le Seigneur.

«Jésus passait à travers villes et villages, proclamant la Bonne Nouvelle du règne de Dieu»

Abbé Jordi PASCUAL i Bancells
(Salt, Girona, Espagne)

Aujourd'hui, nous voyons dans l'Évangile ce que devait être une journée courante des trois années de vie publique de Jésus. Saint Luc nous la raconte en quelques mots: «Jésus passait à travers villes et villages, proclamant la Bonne Nouvelle du règne de Dieu» (Lc 8,1). C'est ce que nous contemplons dans le troisième mystère lumineux du Saint Rosaire.

Jean-Paul dit en commentant ce mystère: «Mystère lumineux que la prédication par laquelle Jésus annonce la venue du Royaume de Dieu et invite à la conversion, en pardonnant les péchés de ceux qui s'approchent de Lui avec une foi humble, inaugurant ainsi le mystère de la miséricorde qu'Il continuera d'exercer jusqu'à la fin du monde, spécialement à travers le sacrement de la Réconciliation confié à l'Église».

Jésus continue de passer près de nous en nous offrant ses biens surnaturels: quand nous prions, quand nous lisons et méditons l'Évangile pour Le connaître et L'aimer davantage et imiter sa vie, quand nous recevons un sacrement, en particulier l'Eucharistie et la Pénitence, quand nous nous dédions avec effort et constance au labeur quotidien, quand nous sommes avec notre famille, nos amis ou nos voisins, quand nous aidons cette personne qui se trouve dans le besoin matériel ou spirituel, quand nous nous reposons ou nous divertissons... Dans toutes ces circonstances, nous pouvons trouver Jésus et le suivre comme les douze et comme les saintes femmes.

Mais en plus, chacun de nous est appelé par Dieu à être aussi “Jésus qui passe”, pour parler –par nos œuvres et nos paroles– à ceux que nous essayons d'approcher de cette foi qui remplit de sens notre existence, de cette espérance qui nous pousse à aller de l'avant sur les chemins de la vie confiants dans le Seigneur, et de cette charité qui guide toute notre action.

Marie fut la première à suivre Jésus et à “être Jésus”. Qu'elle nous aide par son exemple et son intercession!

Gospel text

(Lk 8,1-3): 

Jesus walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve followed him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; Suzanna and others who provided for them out of their own funds.

The Application

One thing that we as Christians have to learn from the Lord is to work together, as one single community. Jesus always took his disciples with him. He was forming the future leaders and put all his confidence in them, though they were limited and different.

Jesus was accomplishing what the Father has entrusted to Him, the salvation of the world. The giver of the mission does take care of every need in the accomplishment of the project. There were many people of good will who helped the Lord materially. Such good people are still there in our community.

The needs each and every one of us to continue the mission of the Father. Some are involved in action, doing directly the mission of the Lord and the Lord needs of our material help, if we can do it. All that the Lord has entrusted to us, is to be put in the service of the Word of God.

«Jesus walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of God»

Fr, Jordi PASCUAL i Bancells
(Salt, Girona, Spain)

Today, in the Gospel, we can appreciate what a normal day in the three years of Jesus' public life should have been. St. Luke explains it in a few words: «Jesus walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the Good News of the Kingdom of God» (Lk 8:1). This is what we contemplate in the third Mystery of Light of the Holy Rosary.

While commenting this mystery His Holiness John Paul II says: «Another mystery of light is the preaching by which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust: the inauguration of that ministry of mercy which he continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation which he has entrusted to his Church».

Jesus keeps on passing by close to us and offering us his supernatural goods: when we pray; when we read and ponder over the Gospel, to know and love him better and imitate his life; when we receive a sacrament, especially the Eucharist and the Penance; when we devote ourselves with effort and perseverance to our everyday's chores; when we have to deal with our family, our friends or our neighbours; when we help that person who is in need of material or spiritual help; when we have a rest or amuse ourselves... In all those circumstances we may find Jesus and follow him just as those Twelve and those saint women also did.

But, above that, each one of us is called by God to also be “the passing Jesus”, that is, to speak to those we deal with —with our deeds and our words— about the faith that fills out of meaning our existence, about the hope that impels us to go on forward through the paths of life designed by God, and about the charity that should guide all our acts.

The first one to follow Jesus and “to be Jesus” is Mary. That with her example and mediation she may help us!

Gospel text

(Lk 7,36-50): 

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to share his meal, so He went to the Pharisee's home and as usual reclined on the sofa to eat. And it happened that a woman of this town, who was known as a sinner, heard that He was in the Pharisee's house. She brought a precious jar of perfume and stood behind him at his feet, weeping. She wet his feet with tears, she dried them with her hair and kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them.

The Pharisee who had invited Jesus was watching and thought, «If this man were a prophet, he would know what sort of person is touching him; isn't this woman a sinner?». Then Jesus spoke to the Pharisee and said, «Simon, I have something to ask you». He answered, «Speak, master». And Jesus said, «Two people were in debt to the same creditor. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty. As they were unable to pay him back, he graciously canceled the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?». Simon answered, «The one, I suppose, who was forgiven more». And Jesus said, «You are right». And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, «Do you see this woman? You gave me no water for my feet when I entered your house, but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You didn't welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since she came in. You provided no oil for my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. This is why, I tell you, her sins, her many sins, are forgiven, because of her great love. But the one who is forgiven little, has little love».

Then Jesus said to the woman, «Your sins are forgiven». The others sitting with him at the table began to wonder, «Now this man claims to forgive sins!». But Jesus again spoke to the woman, «Your faith has saved you; go in peace».

«She stood behind him at his feet, weeping»

Mons. José Ignacio ALEMANY Grau,

Emeritus Bishop of Chachapoyas
(Chachapoyas, Peru)

Today, Simon the Pharisee invites Jesus to dine with the purpose of drawing people’s attention. It was an act of arrogance, but his behavior when he met Jesus, did not even correspond to the most elementary good manners.

While dining, a public sinner does a great act of humility: «As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them and poured perfume on them» (Lk 7:38).

On the other hand, when meeting Jesus the Pharisee did not give Him the greeting kiss, or water for His feet, a towel to wipe them, nor did he anoint Him on the head with oil. Furthermore, the Pharisee said to himself: "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is - that she is a sinner" (Lk 7:39). It was the Pharisee, in fact, who didn't know who He was!


Pope Francis has very much insisted on the importance of approaching the sick, thus "touching the flesh of Christ". Upon canonizing St. Guadalupe García, Francisco said: «giving up a comfortable life to follow Jesus’ call, she taught the love of poverty, which permitted a greater love of the poor and infirm to serve them with tenderness and compassion: and this is called "touching the flesh of Christ". The poor, the abandoned, the sick, the marginalized are the flesh of Christ». Jesus touched the sick and He allowed them and the sinners to touch him.

The sinner of the Gospel touched Jesus and He was happy to see how her heart was transmuted. For this reason, He gave her the peace to reward her courageous faith. -You, my friend, do you come with love to touch the flesh of Christ in so many that go by your side and need you? If you do it, your reward will be the peace with God, with others and with yourself.

Texte de l'Évangile

(Lc 7,36-50): 

Un pharisien avait invité Jésus à manger avec lui. Jésus entra chez lui et prit place à table. Survint une femme de la ville, une pécheresse. Elle avait appris que Jésus mangeait chez le pharisien, et elle apportait un vase précieux plein de parfum. Tout en pleurs, elle se tenait derrière lui, à ses pieds, et ses larmes mouillaient les pieds de Jésus. Elle les essuyait avec ses cheveux, les couvrait de baisers et y versait le parfum.

En voyant cela, le pharisien qui avait invité Jésus se dit en lui-même : «Si cet homme était prophète, il saurait qui est cette femme qui le touche, et ce qu'elle est: une pécheresse». Jésus prit la parole: «Simon, j'ai quelque chose à te dire». «Parle, Maître». Jésus reprit: «Un créancier avait deux débiteurs; le premier lui devait cinq cents pièces d'argent, l'autre cinquante. Comme ni l'un ni l'autre ne pouvait rembourser, il remit à tous deux leur dette. Lequel des deux l'aimera davantage». Simon répondit: «C'est celui à qui il a remis davantage, il me semble». «Tu as raison», lui dit Jésus. Il se tourna vers la femme, en disant à Simon: «Tu vois cette femme? Je suis entré chez toi, et tu ne m'as pas versé d'eau sur les pieds; elle, elle les a mouillés de ses larmes et essuyés avec ses cheveux. Tu ne m'as pas embrassé; elle, depuis son entrée, elle n'a pas cessé d'embrasser mes pieds. Tu ne m'as pas versé de parfum sur la tête; elle, elle m'a versé un parfum précieux sur les pieds. Je te le dis: si ses péchés, ses nombreux péchés, sont pardonnés, c'est à cause de son grand amour. Mais celui à qui on pardonne peu montre peu d'amour».

Puis il s'adressa à la femme: «Tes péchés sont pardonnés». Les invités se dirent: «Qui est cet homme, qui va jusqu'à pardonner les péchés?». Jésus dit alors à la femme: «Ta foi t'a sauvée. Va en paix!».

«Tout en pleurs, elle se tenait derrière lui, à ses pieds»

Mgr. José Ignacio ALEMANY Grau,

Evêque Emérite de Chachapoyas
(Chachapoyas, Peru)

Aujourd'hui, Simon le pharisien invite Jésus à manger pour attirer l'attention des gens. C'était un acte de vanité mais le traitement qu'il donna à Jésus quand il le reçut n'était même pas des plus élémentaires.

Au cours du dîner, une pécheresse publique fit un grand acte d'humilité : "Se tenant derrière Jésus, à ses pieds, elle commença à pleurer, elle lui mouilla les pieds avec ses larmes et les sécha avec ses cheveux ; elle embrassa ses pieds et les oignit de parfum" (Lc 7,38).

Par contre, le pharisien n'embrassa pas Jésus pour lui souhaiter la bienvenue, ne lui donna pas d'eau pour ses pieds, ni une serviette pour les sécher et ne lui mit pas d'huile sur la tête. De plus, le pharisien avait de mauvaises pensées : "Si cet homme était prophète, il saurait qui est la femme qui le touche et quelle sorte de personne c'est, car c'est une pécheresse" (Lc 7,39). En fait, celui qui ne savait pas à qui il avait affaire était le pharisien !

Le Pape François a beaucoup insisté sur l'importance de s'approcher des malades et ainsi "toucher la chair du Christ". En canonisant Sainte Guadalupe García, François dit : "Renoncer à une vie confortable pour suivre l'appel de Jésus ; aimer la pauvreté, pour pouvoir aimer davantage les pauvres, les malades et ceux qui sont abandonnés, pour les servir avec tendresse et compassion : cela s'appelle "toucher la chair du Christ". Les pauvres, ceux qui sont abandonnés, les malades et les marginaux sont la chair du Christ". Jésus touchait les malades et se laissait toucher par les malades et les pécheurs.

La pécheresse de l'Evangile toucha Jésus et Il se réjouit en voyant comme son cœur se transformait. C'est pour cela qu'Il lui donna la paix récompensant ainsi sa foi courageuse. Toi, mon ami, est-ce que tu t'approches avec amour pour toucher la chair du Christ à travers tous ceux qui passent près de toi et qui ont besoin de toi ? Si tu sais le faire, ta récompense sera la paix avec Dieu, avec les autres et avec toi-même.

Gospel text

(Lk 7,31-35): 

The Lord said, «What comparison can I use for this people? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain: ‘We piped you a tune and you wouldn't dance; we sang funeral songs and you wouldn't cry’. Remember John: he didn't eat bread or drink wine, and you said: ‘He has an evil spirit’. Next came the Son of Man, eating and drinking, and you say: ‘Look, a glutton for food and wine, a friend of tax collectors and sinners’. But the children of Wisdom always recognize her work».

The Application

Jesus is looking at the hard heartedness of the people of His time. They systematically rejected John Baptist and today they reject Jesus. Jesus is telling them that they fail drastically to apply their intelligence, and voluntarily they play with their emotions and sentiments. For everything there is time. Time to sing and time to be sad. We have to apply our intelligence, discern properly and choose the best emotions and the best action possible. If they would have applied their intelligence, they might have listened to the Lord and be converted.

There is another way of applying this gospel in our daily life. The way we look at people help us to understand the way we think and act. Our exterior activities will help us to correct our interiority. If we look only what is wrong and criticise people generously, it is not that others are bad, rather we have to seriously correct our interiority. Good people are able to identify what is good in others and bad people could see only what is bad in others. Jesus is reminding them to look into their own interiority and correct themselves.

Action of the day: are you very much critical and judgemental? Give attention.

Daily Quote from the early church fathers:

The song and dances of the prophets,

by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"'Therefore, wisdom is justified by all her children.' He fittingly says 'by all,' because justice is preserved around all. In order that an acceptance of the faithful may happen, a rejection of the unbelieving must occur. Very many Greeks say this, “Wisdom is justified by all her works,” because the duty of justice is to preserve the measure around the merit of each. It aptly says, “We have piped to you, and you have not danced.” Moses sang a song when he stopped the flow in the Red Sea for the crossing of the Jews (Exodus 15:1-18), and the same waves encircled the horses of the Egyptians and, falling back, drowned their riders. Isaiah sang a song of his beloved’s vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7), signifying that the people who before had been fruitful with abundant virtues would be desolate through shameful acts. The Hebrews sang a song when the soles of their feet grew moist at the touch of the bedewing flame, and while all burned within and without, the harmless fire caressed them alone and did not scorch (Daniel 3:19-25). Habakkuk also learned to assuage universal grief with a song and prophesied that the sweet passion of the Lord would happen for the faithful (Habakkuk 3:13). The prophets sang songs with spiritual measures, resounding with prophecies of universal salvation. The prophets wept, softening the hard hearts of the Jews with sorrowful lamentations" (Isaiah 46:12). (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 6.6-7)