Continued from yesterday...
Chapter 4. God's Greatest Proof of Love
...God's especial love was shown to Sinners
...How lovingly He defended Magdalen who, in the house of the proud Pharisee, kissed His feet and washed them with her tears and wiped them with her beautiful hair.
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 toucheth him, that she is a sinner.
And Jesus answering, said to him: Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. 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 wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loveth him most?
Simon answering, said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And Jesus said to him: Thou hast judged rightly.
And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Dost thou see this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she with tears hath washed my feet, and with her hair hath wiped them.
Thou gavest me no kiss, but she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
My head with oil thou didst not anoint, but she with ointments hath anointed my feet.
Wherefore I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much.
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath made thee safe, go in peace.
Our Many Sins, Our Faults, Our Weakness
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Seeing then God's infinite goodness and mercy for even the greatest sinners, let us banish our foolish fears and doubts. No matter how weak we are, God's grace will make us strong. Let us have boundless confidence in God's mercy!
Nothing pleases Him more than to pardon us, to purify us, to give us His friendship.
Bear ever in mind His Divine assurance, "If your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made white as snow."
[Continued tomorrow]
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From An Easy Way to Become a Saint
by E. D. M. (1949)
The Catholic Printing Press
Lisbon, Portugal
With Ecclesiastical Approbation
13th June 1949
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