On the Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C, the Gospel tells of the sinful woman who anoints Jesus in the house of a Pharisee. In The Mass Readings Explained, Dr. Brant Pitre walks through this Sunday's readings and unfolds the deep link between being forgiven and loving much—along with the tradition's question of who this woman was.
In Luke 7:36–8:3, the woman washes Jesus' feet with her tears, and he declares, “Her many sins have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love.” The first reading gives Nathan's confrontation of David, who repents, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12); Psalm 32 blesses the one whose sin is forgiven; and in Galatians 2 St. Paul teaches that we are justified by faith in Christ.
GOSPEL, FIRST READING & PSALM TRANSCRIPT (Subscribe or Login for Full Transcript):
The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year C continues the Church's journey through the Gospel of Luke, sometimes called the most beautiful book ever written. Again, we see that beauty here in the mercy of Jesus and the famous story of Jesus and the sinful woman in Luke 7:36, all the way down to 83. So, it's a long gospel for today, but it's an important one, so we're going to take a look at it and see if we can unpack it and also look at how the tradition has answered the question: who was this sinful woman?
SECOND READING TRANSCRIPT (SubscribeorLoginfor Full Transcript):
The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, continues the Church's proclamation of St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. This week, we turn to an extremely consequential passage in Galatians involving justification by faith apart from works of the law. Let's look at this passage together. In Galatians 2:16, 19-21, we read these words...
GOSPEL, FIRST READING & PSALM TRANSCRIPT (Subscribe or Login for Full Transcript):
The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year C continues the Church's journey through the Gospel of Luke, sometimes called the most beautiful book ever written. Again, we see that beauty here in the mercy of Jesus and the famous story of Jesus and the sinful woman in Luke 7:36, all the way down to 83. So, it's a long gospel for today, but it's an important one, so we're going to take a look at it and see if we can unpack it and also look at how the tradition has answered the question: who was this sinful woman?
SECOND READING TRANSCRIPT (SubscribeorLoginfor Full Transcript):
The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, continues the Church's proclamation of St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. This week, we turn to an extremely consequential passage in Galatians involving justification by faith apart from works of the law. Let's look at this passage together. In Galatians 2:16, 19-21, we read these words...
The Readings for the Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
First Reading: 2 Samuel 12:7–10, 13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 32:1–2, 5, 7, 11
Second Reading: Galatians 2:16, 19–21
Gospel: Luke 7:36–8:3
Key passages & sources examined: The sinful woman anointing Jesus; “her sins are forgiven, for she loved much”; the tradition's question of her identity; Nathan and David's repentance; justification by faith in Galatians 2.
What are the Mass readings for the Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C? 2 Samuel 12:7–10, 13; Psalm 32:1–2, 5, 7, 11; Galatians 2:16, 19–21; and the Gospel, Luke 7:36–8:3.
What happens in the Gospel? A repentant sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet with her tears; he forgives her sins and praises her great love.
What does “her sins are forgiven, for she loved much” mean? Dr. Pitre draws out how great love flows from being forgiven much—gratitude as the fruit of mercy.
How does David's story connect? Confronted by Nathan, David repents and is forgiven (2 Samuel 12), another image of God's mercy toward the sinner.
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Approximately two years ago, I began subscribing to "Mass Readings Explained". At the time I was the leader of a small group of Catholics in my parish who wanted to start a Faith and Fellowship group. We decided to concentrate in our meeting on the upcoming readings for Sunday's Catholic Mass. My Group loves Dr. Pitre because he brings so much to his presentation of the Sunday Mass readings. We are trying to convince the entire parish to follow Dr. Pitre's weekly review of Sunday's readings. I find that I listen to Dr. Pitre's presentation two or three times before our meeting and it helps me know when to stop and start the presentation so that we can engage in discussion about what we have just learned. Without hesitation, everyone in our small group of 8 would heartily endorse Dr. Pitre's work.
The first CD skimmed and skipped and I was not able to listen to it. I have returned it to you by mail so that you can test it and hear for yourselves the poor quality of the CD.
Hi Paul, we're sorry to hear about the issue with your CD. Please email me (Michael@CatholicProductions.com) a good address and I will send you a replacement.
I'm amazed by these lectures, I learn so many things and I hear so many things Ive never heard before. Love how dr Brant Pitre answers complicated questions at the end of the lectures.
Approximately two years ago, I began subscribing to "Mass Readings Explained". At the time I was the leader of a small group of Catholics in my parish who wanted to start a Faith and Fellowship group. We decided to concentrate in our meeting on the upcoming readings for Sunday's Catholic Mass. My Group loves Dr. Pitre because he brings so much to his presentation of the Sunday Mass readings. We are trying to convince the entire parish to follow Dr. Pitre's weekly review of Sunday's readings. I find that I listen to Dr. Pitre's presentation two or three times before our meeting and it helps me know when to stop and start the presentation so that we can engage in discussion about what we have just learned. Without hesitation, everyone in our small group of 8 would heartily endorse Dr. Pitre's work.
The first CD skimmed and skipped and I was not able to listen to it. I have returned it to you by mail so that you can test it and hear for yourselves the poor quality of the CD.
Hi Paul, we're sorry to hear about the issue with your CD. Please email me (Michael@CatholicProductions.com) a good address and I will send you a replacement.
I'm amazed by these lectures, I learn so many things and I hear so many things Ive never heard before. Love how dr Brant Pitre answers complicated questions at the end of the lectures.
