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Master·evangeli.net

Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

Sunday 11th (C) in Ordinary Time
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Gospel text (Lk 7, 36—8, 3): 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 (…) said to the woman, «Your sins are forgiven (…). Your faith has saved you; go in peace» (…).

“God the Shepherd” creates peace

EDITORIAL TEAM evangeli.net (based on texts by Benedict XVI) (Città del Vaticano, Vatican)

Today, Jesus presents himself as the Shepherd of the lost sheep. He beholds the people, so to speak, with a “pastoral” gaze. Jesus embodies “God the Shepherd”.

Among the “lost sheep” that Jesus rescued there was Mary Magdalene. Jesus cast out seven demons from her, that is, He saved her from total enslavement to the Evil One. In what does this profound healing which God works through Jesus consist? It consists in true, complete peace, brought about by the inner reconciliation of the person, as well as in every other relationship: with God, with other people and with the world. Indeed, the Evil One always seeks to spoil God’s work, sowing division in the human heart, between body and soul, between the individual and God, in interpersonal, social and international relations, as well as between human beings and creation. The Evil One sows discord; God creates peace.

—Christ is our peace, he who made us both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh (cf. Eph 2:14). Mary, Mother of Christ our peace, pray for us!