Courage to confess!
Luke 7:36-8:3
Catholics of an older generation were often teased by workmates about Confession: ‘You Catholics go out sinning on a Friday night and then get the slate wiped clean again in Confession next day. That’s really having it both ways!’
They would never have said that if they knew how much courage it took to approach the confessional, nor the sweat and tears we shed as we honestly tried to overcome the flaws in our make-up, flaws that extend way beyond Friday night peccadilloes. Critics may even have secretly envied this rich source of forgiveness and healing. Like ourselves they too want to be free.
St.Luke’s picture of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair is a wonderful image of this forgiveness. She spoke no words but her actions speak for us all: we are all repentant sinners. That is the basic requirement for church membership! And the more we accept this, the more we put gratitude into practice by love of our Lord and service of our brothers and sisters. And like this woman who wasted expensive perfume on Jesus’ head, our actions will draw attention to the One who brings healing for our hearts and freedom for our spirits.
