Sermon – Let Us Not Be Trapped in Our Past (Luke 8:1-3) – September 18, 2026

Yesterday, in the Bible, we heard about a sinful woman falling at Jesus' feet and receiving forgiveness from him.

Today we see the fruit of that same transformation: a woman beginning to follow in Jesus' footsteps.

Jesus not only granted him forgiveness of his sins; he gave him a new life.

The forgiven woman no longer wants to return to her past. She opens her heart to Jesus and begins to follow Him.

In today's Bible, we see Mary, along with other women, following Jesus. They serve Jesus with whatever they have.

For Mary, the center of her life is no longer the world or past sins, but Christ himself.

True repentance is not just saying, "I have sinned," but also being able to say, "I want to follow Jesus now and I no longer want to sin."

A beautiful change has taken place in Mary's life: the woman who wept at Jesus' feet yesterday is today a disciple walking in his path.

Tears have been transformed into service, and the void left by sin into love.

Therefore, let us also ask ourselves: When Jesus forgives me, am I truly following Him?

Am I remaining stuck in my past, or am I embracing the new life that Christ has offered me?

The Lord does not ask us to be perfect, but to walk in His footsteps with a heart turned towards Him.

Let's not dwell on our past. Let's leave it to God's merciful gaze.

In the present and in the future, let our gaze always be fixed on Jesus.

Through the intercession of Saint Mary Magdalene, may we turn away from our sins and live closer to Jesus; may we not only love Him but become faithful disciples who follow Him every day.

May the Virgin Mary help us to always follow Jesus with a pure heart.