Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 17, 2007)

Suggested Emphasis

"I tell you that her many sins are forgiven because of her great love. Little is forgiven the one whose love is small."

Salesian Perspective

Today's Gospel provides us with a powerful example of what one might call a great "teachable moment." While the "certain" Pharisee no doubt enjoyed certain expertise regarding the law and the prophets, it is "a woman known in town to be a sinner" who certainly seems to have the greater grasp of God's mercy and generosity as it is embodied in the person of Jesus.

While the Pharisee no doubt possesses great knowledge, it is the "woman known in town known to be a sinner" who demonstrates that - notwithstanding her sins and weaknesses - she possesses even greater love.

Francis de Sales' insights on the relationship between love, repentance and forgiveness are worth considering here.

"Theotimus, along with the tribulation and sorrow found in a lively repentance, God often places deep down at the bottom of a person's heart the sacred fire of divine love. Then, this love is changed into the water of our many tears, and these, by a second change, are transformed into a second and mightier fire of love. Thus, the renowned repentant lover first loved her Savior; next, this love was changed into tears; then, these tears where changed into a surpassing love. Hence, our Savior said that many sins were forgiven her because she had loved much…This is why perfect penitence has two different effects. In virtue of sorrow and detestation, it separates us from sin and from those to which delectation had attached us. In virtue of the motive of love - whence it has its origin - it reconciles us with God and unites us with God from whom we had separated ourselves by despising him. Hence, at one and the same time, in its quality as repentance, it reclaims us from sin and, in its quality as love, it joins us again to God." (Treatise, Book II, Chapter 20)

Interesting that Francis de Sales later relates this very relationship between repentance, love and forgiveness to today's selection from Paul's letter to the Galatians: "This loving repentance is ordinarily put into practice by elevations or turnings of the heart to God…It is not without reason that some have said that prayer justifies. Repentant prayer, or suppliant repentance, which raises the soul to God and reunites it to God's goodness, undoubtedly obtains pardon in virtue of the holy love that gives it that sacred movement." (Ibid)

How ironic that the greater sinner - or, at least, the one who more greatly recognizes the reality of one's sinfulness - is better able to both extend herself in love and receive the love - and forgiveness - of her Savior! What can we learn from her sinfulness, from her repentance, from her hospitality, from her great love, and from her even greater love of her Savior?

How can we put it into practice in our relationship with others?

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is the Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.