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 Thursday of the 24^th Weak, Year II: reflection

Theme: Jesus’ approach to sinners: a call to reconsider our attitude towards the morally weak.

Reading: Lk 7:36-50

What should we do with our brothers, sisters, relatives, colleagues and friends who are morally weak? Should we cast them away? Do we block them from coming close to us? How do we help them?

In the gospel reading of today, Jesus teaches how to treat our brothers and sisters who are morally weak. Jesus was a table in the house of a Pharisee when a woman who was a sinner entered the dining hall and began to wipe His feet with her tears and anoint them with precious ointment.

For the Pharisee that invited Jesus and others Pharisees at that occasion, If Jesus had known who the lady was, He would not have permitted her to bring her morally dirty body close to Him, much more touch Him with her filthy hands. I am sure many people think along these lines whenever they see their priests and pastors talking with those who live below the moral standards of the Church and society. Some would openly condemn their priests and pastors for doing so, accusing them of having a dirty affair with such persons. Some will take a picture of them, publish them online with a sensational caption to get views on social media. Others would wish to be given the opportunity to prevent such persons from coming close to their priests and pastors.

But then, our Jesus, who came to call sinners to Himself, would not turn down any opportunity to draw a sinner out of his/her dirt and re-clothe him/her again with grace. Thus, Jesus told those Pharisees and all of us not to stop sinners from coming to Him, but to embrace them whenever they trace their paths back to His presence in need of attention, help and atonement. He wants us to treat them as He would want them to be treated, which is with love and mercy, rather than the way we would want them to be treated. Let us, therefore, imbibe this divine approach towards sinners in our dealings with our brothers, sisters and friends who are morally weak.

May God bless your efforts this Thursday, Amen

Fr Isaac C. Chima.