1 Cor 15:1-11 / Luke 7:36-50
A spade is much bigger than a spoon. In a certain way they both look similar.
But the spade cannot do the work of a spoon, and neither the spoon can do the work of the spade.
In short, they are important in their own roles.
And that brings to mind the tendency of comparison. Comparison brings about the death of uniqueness and with that the death of joy.
In the gospel, Simon the Pharisee may be seen as self-righteous and critical of those who have gone wayward.
And that springs from that tendency to compare. He compared that woman with a bad name with his self-righteousness. He may even have compared Jesus' behaviour with that of his.
And even in the 1st reading, St. Paul seemed to be comparing himself with the rest of the apostles when he said that he was the least of the apostles and that he hardly deserved that title.
But he concluded by saying that what mattered was that he preached what the apostles preached, so that his listeners will come to believe and have the same faith.
So when we do not compare ourselves with what the others around us, we will certainly gain much more time and energy to look at ourselves and strive for what is good and holy.
And just like the spade and the spoon, both being important in their own roles, may the Lord God enlighten us on what our calling is and to fulfill that important role in our lives.