The pardon of the sinful woman
LUKE 7:36-50
APHARISEE invited Jesus to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind Him at His feet weeping and began to bathe His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this he said to himself, “If this Man were a prophet, He would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give Me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing My feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
REFLECTION
WHOSE LARGER DEBT WAS FORGIVEN. The story presents a striking contrast between Simon the Pharisee (the host) and an unnamed woman (an uninvited guest, described as a sinner) and their different attitudes to Jesus. Simon has invited Jesus but has not made Him especially welcome. But the sinful woman, with no reservations, bathes Jesus’ feet with her tears, dries them with her hair, then kisses and anoints them with ointment. Jesus declares that the woman’s demonstration of love springs from her gratitude or love for having been forgiven. He confirms her forgiveness, releasing her from her sinful past, and praises her faith that has been her salvation.
Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
— Mt 11:28
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2015,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.