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 an alabaster jar of perfume, and stood behind
him, at his feet, weeping. She wet his feet with tears; she dried them with her hair; she
kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them. The Pharisee who had invited Jesus
was watching, and thought, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what sort of
person is touching him; isn’t this woman a sinner?” Then Jesus spoke to the Pharisee
and said, “Simon, I have something to ask you.” He answered, “Speak, master.” And
Jesus 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 reclining 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!”
Reflect
“Your faith has saved you.” Our faith helps us grow, realizing we all receive God’s
mercy and forgiveness. The same faith makes us more appreciative of God’s
compassion toward us. This same faith also challenges us to exercise compassion
toward other people. The person who is mindful of his forgiven status becomes more
compassionate. Hence, such a person attests to a life of faith. Today’s Gospel narrates
how Jesus was invited to eat at the house of Simon the Pharisee. When they were at
table, a woman who was known to be a sinner in that town came with an alabaster jar
of perfume. While weeping, she kissed Jesus’ feet and poured out perfume on them.
The Pharisee thought that Jesus should know what kind of woman was touching
him. In the end, Jesus pointed out that the woman received more mercy and
consequently she could exercise more love to the one who forgave her. Jesus
indicated that the woman’s faith had saved her. Faith is needed for miracles to happen.
Miracles happen when we recognize our need for God’s mercy and become more
compassionate. We respond to the call to righteousness with faith and not become
self-righteous.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2024