Surprise! Forgiveness!

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today is overflowing with words of forgiveness. The understanding of the relationship with the Divine being based in forgiveness is not where we usually begin. We often put God in place as the Great Law Maker and policeman of these laws. Paul explains to the Galatians how his personal transformation through the relationship with the Divine revealed how the Law is the condemnation of humanity. The paradox of Paul that he lives no longer for himself but it is Jesus who lives in him helps us imagine the path of becoming Jesus. It necessarily and naturally involves the unconditional forgiveness and love that the “woman in sin” finds in the company of Jesus. It is the surprise of the sinful David related in the 2nd Book of Samuel. The Pharisees expected jesus to follow the tradition and be governed by the Law. They missed the truth of the tradition and the Law pointing to Jesus. Our expectations will never approach the graciousness of the Divine.