In the Spirit of Ember Friday of September
The Ember Days, particularly Ember Friday of September, call us to a period of penitence, fasting, and reflection on God’s mercy and the fruits of His grace. The liturgical readings for this day—Osee 14:2-10 and Luke 7:36-50—present a powerful meditation on repentance and forgiveness, themes central to the Ember observance. Both passages invite us to contemplate our need for conversion and the overwhelming mercy of God, which is available to all who turn to Him with a sincere heart.
Osee 14:2-10: A Call to Repentance and Restoration
In Osee (Hosea) 14, the prophet delivers a plea from God to the people of Israel to return to Him in repentance. “Take with you words, and return to the Lord: and say to Him, Take away all iniquity, and receive the good: and we will render the calves of our lips” (Osee 14:3). The Israelites are called to offer words of true repentance, acknowledging their sins and turning away from false gods and alliances with foreign nations. In response, God promises healing, renewal, and love. “I will heal their wounds, I will love them freely: for my wrath is turned away from them” (Osee 14:5).
The Church Fathers see this passage as a timeless expression of God’s readiness to forgive those who seek Him. St. Jerome, reflecting on Hosea, notes that the call to repentance is not just for ancient Israel but for all of humanity. He writes, “This word is not addressed to one nation but to all sinners, for all are guilty, and all can be healed by returning to God.” St. Augustine emphasizes that God’s mercy surpasses our sin, echoing the invitation in Hosea: “God does not turn away from those who turn to Him. He is always ready to forgive those who repent in humility.”
The imagery of God as “the dew” to Israel (Osee 14:6) is rich with meaning. The dew represents God’s grace, which quietly and gently nourishes the soul, bringing life to what was once barren. Just as dew falls from heaven, so does grace descend upon those who repent, reviving the soul and leading it to bear good fruit. The Fathers likened this to the soul’s return to the state of spiritual vitality through the sacrament of penance and God’s loving-kindness.
Luke 7:36-50: The Mercy of Christ and the Power of Forgiveness
In Luke 7:36-50, we encounter the poignant story of the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet in the house of Simon the Pharisee. This woman, identified as a sinner, comes to Jesus in an act of deep repentance, weeping at His feet, wiping them with her hair, and anointing them with precious ointment. Simon, the Pharisee, judges her and questions Jesus’ acceptance of such a sinner, but Jesus responds with a profound teaching on forgiveness. “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Luke 7:47).
The Church Fathers frequently reflect on this passage as a striking illustration of God’s mercy and the transformative power of love and repentance. St. Gregory the Great teaches, “The more we have been forgiven, the more we are bound to love.” He emphasizes that the woman’s lavish love and devotion to Christ flowed from her deep awareness of her need for forgiveness. For St. Gregory, this passage is a reminder that our spiritual growth is directly tied to our awareness of God’s mercy and our gratitude for His forgiveness.
St. Ambrose points out that the woman’s actions symbolize the soul’s journey of repentance. Her tears represent true sorrow for sin, while the ointment reflects the desire to offer the best we have to God. St. Ambrose urges us to imitate the woman, saying, “Let us too fall at Jesus’ feet, let us bathe them with our tears and anoint them with the precious ointment of our contrite hearts. For only in repentance can we be restored to grace.”
The contrast between the Pharisee and the woman highlights the dangers of self-righteousness. St. Augustine explains that Simon’s failure to see his own sin blinded him to the depth of God’s mercy. The woman, on the other hand, recognized her need for forgiveness and responded with humility and love. “He who knows his need for grace seeks it; but he who thinks himself righteous blocks the path to receiving it.”
The Call to Renewal on Ember Friday
As we meditate on these readings during Ember Friday of September, we are reminded of the dual call to repentance and renewal. Like the people of Israel in Osee, we are invited to return to God with humble hearts, trusting that He will heal and restore us. Like the woman in Luke’s Gospel, we are called to recognize our need for God’s mercy and respond with love and devotion.
The Ember Days, traditionally linked to the change of seasons and the harvest, symbolize the Church’s cyclical call to conversion and spiritual renewal. The Fathers of the Church teach us that fasting, prayer, and acts of charity are powerful means of opening ourselves to the grace of God, allowing Him to cleanse us from sin and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit.
Let us, therefore, embrace this time of reflection with a spirit of humility and gratitude. May we, like the woman who anointed Jesus, approach Him with repentant hearts, confident in His mercy. And may we, like the dew in Osee, be renewed and nourished by God’s grace, bearing fruit in love and holiness.