2007-06-17 - Homily - "Simon, I have something to say to you."

NOTE - AFTER THE FIRST FEW SECONDS THIS FILE MAY BE HEARD ONLY AT EXTREME VOLUME LEVELS This Simon was a Pharisee, Pharisees were fed up with the Sagisees, superficial Jews; Sagisees compromised with the Gentiles to lead a good life - sell-outs. Romans used the Sagisees to control the rest of the Jews - Sagisees in the US Congress today. The Pharisees were reformist Jews, puritans. Simons invitation to Jesus was for his own advantage and the entertainment of his guests, however; thinks Jesus should be grateful for the invitation as some think that God should be grateful for our obedience. Saint Paul had been a Pharisee, wrote to the Galatians - We are not justified by works of the law but by faith in Jesus. The law is not God. Judgement shall depend on what we give of ourselves to God. God does not want bits of me, he wants all of me. The woman who bursts in to the dinner with an alabaster ointment jar full of expensive perfume, her finest possession, bathes Jesus' feet. Simon appalled - How is it that Jesus, a prophet, does not know what is in this womans mind - Simon, I have somehting to say to you - Tale of two men who owed a creditor, debt forgiven, which will love the creditor more? The man who owed the creditor the most... so it is with sinners. Generosity of the Lord - Three gifts of our Lord: Speech, Opportunity, and Life. Lord wants us to give our all. Our financial obligation to the Church, $10 per week, minimum. The wife of Euriah, taken by King David, Nathan the Prophet, parable of the poor man's lamb, confiscated for a rich man's banquet - Truth speaking to power - David wept for being that beastly rich man. The Mass and Confession: Two rich gifts of Catholic Christians. The Pharisee does not understand absolution, wants a prophet not a saviour. St. Paul - I am crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me. - That is what Jesus is trying to tell Simon the Pharisee. Father's Day - He who has seen me has seen the Father. Alexander the Great - Wanted the fealty of the Hellenic philosophers. Diogenes, the Cynic, in his bath tub turns Alexander the Great's request away by asking him not to block his sun. Christ does not block the sun, he sheds the sun on us. Father forgive them they know not what they do - My God why have you abandoned me? - Father into your hands I commend my Spirit

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