June 13th - Reflection

Time after Pentecost - Lectionary 11
Luke 7:36-8:3 (NRSV)
The woman anointing Jesus is forgiven

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him - that she is a sinner." Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "Speak." "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.

Reflection
The woman, who was weighed down with heavy sins, was so elated by the forgiveness of sins that she couldn't help herself. The woman had to show her appreciation for this forgiveness. "Hence she has shown great love."

So how do you think about your sins? Are they many and heavy? Are they few and light? Either way, I think Jesus is pointing us to view our forgiveness of sin, no matter few or many or heavy or light, as a reason to show great love.

This scene seemed to border on erotic, if you ask me. A woman comes in and kisses Jesus feet and washes them with her tears. I can imagine what the people present were thinking about the woman and wondering about Jesus. But Jesus has this wonderful ability to sort through what seems to be apparent to what is reality. This woman wasn't trying to tease Jesus, she was showing love for him and for God.

I need to be careful, myself, of how I judge the actions of others. I need to take care of my own actions and realize the great value of the forgiveness of sin that God has granted to me and act in great love. Don't we all?

Prayer
Lord, I realize the vast and great sins that you have forgiven me. Help me as I turn from my sin and face you. For in you I see great love. Send me out this day to display that same great love to those you give to me...today...tomorrow and forever. --- Amen