September 17, 2026
St. Robert Bellarmine; St. Hildegard of Bingen
Authentic Faith and Love
…her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.
Luke 7:47

In a collection of letters published posthumously, devout Catholic and acclaimed writer Flannery O’Connor observes, “The operation of the Church is entirely set up for the sinner, which creates much misunderstanding among the smug.” Jesus drives a similar message home when a Pharisee invites him to dinner but lacks compassion and humility. Meanwhile, a “sinful” woman, approaches with nothing but honesty, vulnerability and love. And Jesus receives her fully, baffling the Pharisee.

It might seem outward piety doesn’t mean much to Jesus. Instead, he is moved by authentic faith and love that shines from the inside out. Jesus doesn’t partake in exclusion or contempt. Neither should we. He longs to sit with those who feel unseen or unredeemable, to offer dignity and hope. Let’s pull up a chair at the table.

Dear Jesus, help me to love as you love, to welcome as you welcome and to measure faith by grace in action rather than past sins or labels

- Kate Wicker

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 ✚ Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 28 ✚ Luke 7:36-50
Family, friends, holding hands in prayer and at dinner table. Image by Viglietti/peopleimages.com | stock.adobe.com
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Comments

freeter
September 17, 2026 at 09:53 AM

Amen. :)

ADV
September 17, 2026 at 09:34 AM

AMEN!

CBR
September 17, 2026 at 08:41 AM

Jesus help me to love as you do and not judge people as sometimes we do open my heart to all people Amen Amen Amen

Salina (not in control)
September 17, 2026 at 08:29 AM

*** Do you think there is the difference among sinners, more sinful or less sinful in the eyes of God? Luke 7:41, “Jesus said, “There were two men. Both men owed money to the same banker. One man owed him 500 silver coins. The other man owed him 50 silver coins.” *** Do you see the difference among sinners how they respond to the forgiveness, more loving and less loving in the eyes of God? Luke 7:48, “Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven!” *** There is only one difference among sinners: whether they believe in Jesus or...
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Anne L.
September 17, 2026 at 08:20 AM

Praise God that Jesus does not judge by hearsay or outward appearances but rather by what is in a person’s heart.

Gary
September 17, 2026 at 08:16 AM

" Dear Jesus, help me to love as you love, to welcome as you welcome and measure faith by grace in action rather than past sins or labels." Thanks for your words today Kate. Amen!

Mike
September 17, 2026 at 09:03 AM

Amen

Cheryl
September 17, 2026 at 06:32 AM

Amen

Family, friends, holding hands in prayer and at dinner table. Image by Viglietti/peopleimages.com | stock.adobe.com
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