Simon-ize Me!

Thursday of Week 24 in Ordinary Time

Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop, Doctor

Luke 7:36-50

This is one of those passages so so rich in detail…hence all the art-reflection this scene has produced.  There is THIS woman (and we know what THIS means) hanging on to Jesus' feet, soaking them with her tears and drying them with her hair.  Cultural differences aside, that IS a scene.  And then Simon,  the pharisee who invites Jesus to dine.  One does wonder why since under his breath  he mocks this "so-called prophet."

Regularly I find myself in conversations that irk me and I can never think of that perfect response in the moment.  An hour later I might come upon the most perfect response.  Well, Jesus just gets right to it.  The hypocritical and judgy Simon is pulled into the story about the creditor and his two debtors…and he won't come out unscathed.  He doesn't even realize that he is being faced with his own blindness.    After Jesus commends Simon's right answer, then comes my favorite line:  Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see THIS woman?"  Jesus' eyes are linked to the woman, but he is speaking to Simon.  Of course Simon can't see the woman.  But now he must look at her.  Jesus won't look at Simon again until he sees THIS woman.  One commentator called this "Irish Ricochet."  

Who is it that I label "THIS…this kind, this type, this…you-know what I mean."
I pray for a little more of THIS woman and a little less of Simon in my life.