20 September 2018
Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Priest, and Paul Chong Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
Both of today’s readings speak of the importance of grace and faith. Paul describes to his readers that he should be considered least, since he persecuted the Church of Christ. In the gospel we read how a woman who was a “sinner” anointed the feet of Jesus as a sign of respect and appeal for mercy. In both cases salvation came to both houses when a recognition occurred that a change had to happen and both Paul and the nameless women chose to freely respond to the grace given to them. Divine intervention was operative in the case of Saul then Paul and we can presume that it was likewise present in the case of the woman. Both received the gift and both acted upon that gift. These readings remind me of the 12 step program of recovery from addictions. The first step is realizing that there is a problem, the second step is to realize that we must turn to God (known in AA as the High Power) to assist in recovery, and the third and fourth steps are to make active decisions towards God and towards recovery. In both these readings we see a reflection of the fundamental commands of Jesus, Love of God and love of neighbor as oneself. It is by God’s action that we are saved, but we need to be constantly alert to how we may participate in this constant offer of God’s saving grace.