Luke 7:36 – 50 The Penitent Woman

Luke 7:36 – 50 The Penitent Woman

A Pharisee invited him 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."

In this famous scripture story of a “sinner” who also happens to be a woman, Christ gores several oxes (or do I mean oxen). Whatever. He lets a sinner tend to his needs, and willingly, and he tells her that her sins are forgiven. Both actions are viewed with deep disapproval by his host. Consider the source though. His host is a Pharisee, famous in the Bible for judging others and jealously guarding their own positions of authority. Jesus is making a statement that in his view, in his kingdom, in his “church”, mercy and forgiveness are always available for those who truly seek them and love – love is paramount. None are perfect (even Pharisees) Jesus accepts that humanity is not perfect, that there are struggles and mistakes made along the way. Balanced against that on Jesus scales is love, in all its forms, loving action, loving intent, loving attitudes. Also important is quantity and volume. Jesus draws a distinction between those who love little and those who love much. He comes down firmly on the side of generosity. How have our churches got so far from this emphasis on love and generosity and mercy and forgiveness? They seem more focused on authority and control and judgment and regulations. To paraphrase St. John the Baptist – the church must decrease and Christ’s ways must increase. Amen.