Here we are in the month of June. My question for today is about the month of June. My question is this: what events do you routinely associate with the month of June?
How many of you thought of weddings and marriage? It seems that almost every weekend during the month, we’re invited to a wedding. And then, there are anniversaries which can be celebrated any day of the month. The week after next, Karen and I will be celebrating our 52nd. June is also the month for graduations, from high school or college. Last weekend, one of our granddaughters graduated from Klein Oak. So, June is a month for new beginnings and changes, whether it’s a new married life or a transition from high school or college into the world of job hunting or, hopefully, of beginning a new career.
June can also be a month of a possible crisis, especially for those of us who live along the gulf coast and know that June 1st begins a new hurricane season, a time of potential tragedy, especially when gushing oil adds to the problems of raging winds and water. Yes, the month of June can remind us of love, of change, of possible tragedy — conditions we also find in today’s readings.
In our First reading from the Second Book of Samuel, we heard about events in the life of King David. About how the result of his lust for Bathsheba and his part in the death of her husband, Uriah, would lead to the sword of conflict being present in his household for the generations to follow. But we also heard the words of the prophet Nathan who said: “The LORD on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die.” Yes, David, having acknowledged his sinfulness, repented and was forgiven for the harm he had caused.
In our Second reading, Paul — who had previously led attacks against the followers of Christ — acknowledges: “I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.” Paul recognizes that Jesus has forgiven him of his sins, of his former errors in life, so that he may now live in Christ.
Our Gospel reading directly addresses the relationship of love and of forgiveness. We heard the story of how Simon, a Pharisee with whom Jesus was dining, had not followed the usual customs of hospitality, of welcoming a guest into his house. On the other hand, an unnamed woman, who was seen by everyone at the banquet as a major sinner, performed these acts of hospitality for Jesus out of her love for him. When we hear this story we often think that Jesus forgave her of her past sins because she washed his feet with her tears, dried them with her long hair and anointed them with her ointment. We fail to hear his original words to Simon, the pharisee, when Jesus said: “So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love.”
It would appear that her sins had already been forgiven before she entered Simon’s house. She performed her actions for Jesus out of love for having been forgiven. It was then … perhaps for the sake of Simon … that Jesus repeated the words: “Your sins are forgiven.” and to her, the words: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Indeed, today’s readings speak to us in terms of “love, faith, forgiveness and peace.” Perhaps they should be especially meaningful to us during this month of June weddings, a time of new beginnings with hoped-for joy and, yet, with the possibility of intervening tragedy.
When I have interacted with young couples in their preparation for weddings and married life, we speak of “love, faith, forgiveness and peace.” Especially of forgiveness. Our conversations usually begin with an awareness that it is for the sake of “forgiveness” that God became man. Jesus became human in order to bring us God’s forgiveness so that we can return to God in the peace of re-union with Him, of reconciliation with Him.
Jesus reminds us throughout the entire New Testament we are to forgive one another. We hear these words in the prayer he taught us. We hear these words among the final ones he spoke from the cross. We hear these words in his final charge to his followers about their mission: Forgive one another.
This reminder is of essential importance to young couples about to be married. It is of equal or greater importance to all couples who wish to remain married for the rest of their lives. At the outset of their lives together, a bride and groom love each other deeply. They say they are best friends and will remain so for the rest of their lives. After all, each person marries their very best friend. If this is not the case, one might ask: “Why get married in the first place.” But we know that something can happen over the years.
We know that in the process of living as husband and wife, each person is capable of hurting the feelings of the other one. And the hurt goes deep into each one of them. The more they love one another, the deeper the potential hurt can be for them. It is because of the deep love each one possess, that the terrible pain of their mutual wound exists.
And what must they do in order to begin to heal the wound? Having hurt one another, how can they preserve and, actually, increase the love existing between them? They must forgive one another. They must speak the words to one other: “Please forgive me.” And …. “I forgive you.” The power of these words resides in a special sacrament we call the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The power of these words is also found in the Sacrament of Matrimony.
All couples begin with a deep love for one another. And because of this love, they can deeply hurt one another emotionally. It is only with forgiveness, that the hurt within their hearts can begin to be healed, that the pain can be alleviated. However, some believe that this pain can be relieved only by separation. Yet, quite often the pain endures beyond their legal separation.
On the other hand, in a long-lasting marriage, there must be an ongoing series of exchanges of “Please forgive me; I forgive you.” These words are spoken as part of the process of healing. These words of forgiveness do not necessarily mean: “I approve of your actions; I approve of the events which led up to the emotional hurt and to the inner pain.” God certainly did not approve of David’s actions concerning Bathsheba and Uriah. But the LORD GOD did forgive David. Jesus did not approve of the actions the woman engaged in before she entered Simon’s house. Yet he had forgiven her before and there, in the presence of the Pharisee and the assembled guests, he once more spoke the words: “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
In times of new beginnings, in times of potential harm from winds and water afflicting us, in times of change, in times of hurt and pain, we retain the love of Christ, the peace of Christ, as we repeat to one another and hear in the voices of another person, his words: “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time; June 13, 2010
2 Sm 12:7-10, 13; Gal 2:16, 19-21; Lk 7:36 – 8:3