Homily for Thursday, Week 24 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Thursday
Week 24 of Ordinary Time

Sept. 17, 2026
1 Cor 15: 1-11
Luke 7: 1-10
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

After responding to the Corinthian Church’s questions on various topics and responding to some contention in the Church, Paul reminds his disciples of the most fundamental article of faith.  “Christ died for our sins; he was buried; he was raised on the 3d day….  His grace to me hasn’t been ineffective” (1 Cor 1: 3-4, 10).

Paul’s own life is evidence of the power of Christ’s resurrection and of our sins being forgiven, however grave those may be.

Luke narrates a specific story of the forgiveness of sins, the story of a woman well known as a sinner and of a judgmental Pharisee.  It’s likely the woman has already encountered Jesus’ mercy, and her response is what Luke tells us here. 

Simon the Pharisee reveals his own sinfulness without any awareness of it.  He’s been a rude host, omitting ordinary courtesies; then he condemns this woman in his thoughts.  He’s very much like 2 characters in Jesus’ parables, the Pharisee who went up to the Temple to pray—really, to boast of his ritual purity; and the elder brother of the wayward son.

Both Paul and this anonymous woman know they’re sinners, and thru their faith in Christ they receive an abundance of undeserved mercy and peace of soul.