livingtheword

Download 11th Sunday Reflection Document

Reflection Questions

1. Imagine a great religious and political leader committing adultery and trying to cover up the pregnancy with the secret killing of the husband. This is actually what has happened with the great leader of Israel – King David (see 2 Sam 11). David moves from covering up to confession. God forgives David. What strikes you about Godʼ s forgiveness? The painful consequences of sin? What is your experience?
2. King David is thought to have composed the famous Psalm 51 expressing heartfelt sorrow for sin. If you were to have a heartfelt conversation with God what words would you use? Use Psalm 51 to help you. Consider making use of the sacrament of confession this coming week. What obstacles do you need to overcome to experience Godʼ s waiting embrace?
3. Paul is responding to a big question: Am I acceptable to God? Jewish people in the Galatian community were trying to convince new christian disciples they still had to observe all the Jewish laws to be ʻrightʼ  and acceptable to God. Paul, who was a very law-abiding Pharisee cries No! Human frailty eventually breaks the law and observing ʻ lawsʼ  pales in comparison to what has been given in Jesus! God has come among us, taught us, forgiven us, revealed the resurrection to us. Faith is entering into the embrace of Godʼ s acceptance for us in Jesus. What is your response? How could you accept the ʻacceptanceʼ of God?
4. Paul paints a powerful picture. ‘I have been crucified with Christ’. Imagine each day climbing onto the cross – arms extended in an embrace of our broken world – like Christ giving of his body and blood on the cross to heal the world. Is your life lived with arms open generously or arms tightly closed in self preservation?
5. Some cultural information behind this parable is helpful for reflection. Hospitality was always to be shown to guests. Water to wash feet, hands. Perfume / oil to annoint oneʼ s head. Simon shows no hospitality to Jesus. Women were also conditioned only to show and let down their hair for their husband. The woman is showing very intimate actions of love toward Jesus. What now strikes you in this parable?
6. Simon the Pharisee and the Woman who was regarded as a ʻ sinnerʼ in the town are both struggling with who is ʻacceptable to Godʼ . The Pharisee thought only people keeping all the rules and laws were satisfying the ʻpurityʼ code of being ʻ cleanʼ and therefore ʻ rightʼ  with God. Simon is horrified that Jesus allows a sinful woman to ʻtouchʼ him and thereby make him ʻ uncleanʼ. What is Simonʼ s deep theological problem?
7. Imagine someone releasing you of a debt of a year and a half of your wages. Or 3 months of your wages. What would your feelings be? Would this experience find expression in any action? What is the greatest ʻ releaseʼ  experience you have had. Did it change your lifestyle in any way?
8. The quality and image of discipleship between the Woman and Simon is different. What attracts you? Why?
9. What is one action that you will do to be ‘livingtheword’ this week?