Gospel: Lk 7:36-50*
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to share his meal, so he went to the Pharisee’s home and
as usual reclined at the table to eat. And it happened that a woman of this town, who was
known as a sinner, heard that he was in the Pharisee’s house. She brought a precious jar of
perfume and stood behind him at his feet, weeping. She wet his feet with tears, she dried
them with her hair and kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them. (...) Then Jesus spoke to the Pharisee and said:
(...) “Two people were in debt to the same creditor. One owed him five hundred silver coins,
and the other fifty. As they were unable to pay him back, he graciously canceled the debts of both.
Now, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, who was
forgiven more.” And Jesus said, “You are right.” And turning toward the woman, he said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman? You gave me no water for my feet when I entered your house, but she
has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You didn’t welcome me with a kiss,
but she has not stopped kissing my feet since she came in. You provided no oil for my head, but she
has poured perfume on my feet. This is why, I tell you, her sins, her many sins, are forgiven, because
of her great love. But the one who is forgiven little, has little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman,
“Your sins are forgiven.” The others sitting with him at the table began to wonder, “Now this man
claims to forgive sins!” But Jesus again spoke to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Reflection:

Who says that Jesus hates the Pharisees? In this
gospel, a Pharisee invites Jesus to His house and He obliges.
They are seated probably enjoying a good meal when a
woman of ill repute barges in and bides her time to serve Him.
She did so by cleaning the Lord’s feet with her tears, wiping it
with her hair, and anointing it with a very expensive perfume.
But instead of reflecting upon himself whether he has given
Jesus the proper hospitality of washing Jesus’ feet as a guest
of his house, he evaluates Jesus and how He will behave
in this situation. He deflects the object of his scrutiny from
himself to Jesus and the sinful woman. And how many times
we have done this? Instead of examining ourselves, we
examine others. We exempt ourselves from criticism and
instead subject others to it. The woman, oblivious of the social
stigma, did what she could to ask forgiveness for her way of
life. She spared nothing and give her all. If breaking the
vase of an expensive perfume may seem a waste, its perfume
however filled the room with its sweet smell. May we feel the
world with the sweet smell of our holy works.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021