21 MARCH – THURSDAY IN PASSION WEEK

Lesson – Daniel iii. 34‒45

In those days, Azarias prayed to the Lord, saying: “Lord our God, deliver us not up forever, we beseech you, for your name’s sake, and abolish not your covenant: and take not away your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham your beloved, and Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one: to whom you have spoken, promising that you would multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is on the sea shore. For we, Lord, are diminished more than any nation, and are brought low in all the earth this day for our sins. Neither is there at this time prince, or leader, or prophet, or holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of first-fruits before you, that we may find your mercy: nevertheless, in a contrite heart and humble spirit, let us be accepted. As in holocausts of rams, and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be made in your sight this day, that it may please you: for there is no confusion to them that trust in you. And now we follow you with all our heart, and we fear you, and seek your face. Put us not to confusion, but deal with us according to your meekness, and according to the multitude of your mercies. And deliver us according to your wonderful works, and give glory to your name, O Lord; and let all them be confounded that show evils to your servants, let them be confounded in all your might, and let their strength be broken; and let them know that you are the Lord, the only God, and glorious over all the world, Lord our God.”

Thanks be to God.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Thus did Judah when captive in Babylon pour forth her prayers to God by the mouth of Azarias. Sion was desolate beyond measure. Her people were in exile. Her solemnities were hushed. Her children were to continue in a strange land for seventy years, after which God would be mindful of them, and lead them by the hand of Cyrus back to Jerusalem, when the building of the second Temple would be begun, that Temple which was to receive the Messiah within its walls. What crime had Judah committed that she should be thus severely punished? The Daughter of Sion had fallen into idolatry. She had broken the sacred engagement which made her the Spouse of her God. Her crime, however, was expiated by these seventy years of captivity, and when she returned to the land of her fathers, she never relapsed into the worship of false gods.

Gospel – Luke vii. 36‒50

At that time, one of the Pharisees desired Him to eat with him. And He went into the house of the Pharisee, and sat down to meat. And behold a woman that was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that He sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment. And standing behind at His feet, she began to wash His feet, with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment. And the Pharisee, who had invited Him, seeing it, spoke within himself, saying: ‘This man, if he were a prophet, would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that touches him, that she is a sinner” And Jesus answering, said to him: “Simon, I have somewhat to say to you.” But he said: “Master, say it.” A certain creditor had two debtors, the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And whereas they had not with what to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loves him most?” Simon answering, said: “I suppose that he to whom he forgave most.” And He said to him: “You have judged rightly.” And turning to the woman, He said to Simon: “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, you gave me no water for my feet; but she with tears has washed my feet, and with her hairs has wiped them. You gave me no kiss; but she, since she came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil you did not anoint; but she with ointment has anointed my feet. Wherefore I say to you: Many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loves less.” And He said to her: “Your sins are forgiven you.” And they that sat at meat with Him began to say within themselves: “Who is this that forgives sins also?” And He said to the woman: “Your has made you safe, go in peace.”

Praise be to you, O Christ.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

What consolation there is for us in this Gospel, and how different are the reflections it suggests, from those we were just making on the Epistle! The event here related does not belong to the time of our Saviour’s Passion, but during these days of mercy does it not behove us to glorify the meekness of that Divine Heart which is preparing to grant pardon to countless sinners throughout the world? Besides, is not Magdalene the inseparable companion of her dear crucified Master, even to Calvary? Let us then study this admirable penitent, this type of love faithful even to death.

Magdalene had led a wicked life, as the Gospel tells us elsewhere (Mark xvi. 9). Seven devils had taken up their abode within her. But no sooner has she seen and heard Jesus, than immediately she is filled with a horror for sin. Divine love is enkindled within her heart. She has but one desire, and that is to make amends for her past life. Her sins have been public: her conversion must be so too. She has lived in vanity and luxury. She is resolved to give all up. Her perfumes are all to be for her God, her Jesus. That hair of hers, of which she has been so proud, will serve to wipe His sacred feet. Her eyes will henceforth spend themselves in shedding tears of contrite love. The grace of the Holy Spirit urges her to go to Jesus. He is in the house of a Pharisee who is giving an entertainment. To go to him now would be exposing herself to observation. She cares not. Taking with her an ointment of great worth, she makes her way into the feast, throws herself at Jesus’ feet, washes them with her tears, wipes them with the hair of her head, kisses them, anoints them with the ointment. Jesus Himself tells us with what interior sentiments she accompanies these outward acts of respect: but even had He not spoken, her tears, her generosity, her position at His feet, tell us enough. She is heart-broken, she is grateful, she is humble. Who but a Pharisee could have mistaken her?

The Pharisee, then, is shocked! His heart had within it much of that Jewish pride which is soon to crucify the Messiah. He looks disdainfully at Magdalene. He is disappointed with his guest and murmurs out his conclusion: This man, if he were a Prophet, would surely know who and what manner of woman this is! Poor Pharisee! If he had the spirit of God within him, he would recognise Jesus to be the promised Saviour, by this wonderful condescension shown to a penitent. With all his reputation as a Pharisee, how contemptible he is, compared with this woman! Jesus would give him a useful lesson, and draws the parallel between the two — Magdalene and the Pharisee — He passes His own divine judgement on them, and the preference is given to Magdalene. What is it that has thus transformed her and made her deserve, not only the pardon, but the praise, of Jesus? Her love. She has loved her Redeemer, she has loved him much and, therefore, she was forgiven much. A few hours ago, and this Magdalene loved but the world and its pleasures. Now she cares for nothing, sees nothing, loves nothing, but Jesus: she is a convert. Henceforward, she keeps close to her Divine Master. She is ambitious to supply his wants, but above all, she longs to see and hear Him. When the hour of trial will come, and His very Apostles dare not be with Him, she will follow Him to Calvary, stand at the foot of the Cross, and see Him die that has made her live. What an argument for hope is here, even for the worst of sinners! He to whom most is forgiven, is often the most fervent in love! You, then, whose souls are burdened with sins, think of your sins and confess them. But most of all think how you may most love. Let your love be in proportion to your pardon, and doubt it not: Your sins will be forgiven.