The Pardon of the Sinful Woman

Today's Reflections

The Pardon of the Sinful Woman

Lk 7:36-50

³⁶A Pharisee invited [Jesus] to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. ³⁷Now 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, ³⁸she 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. ³⁹When 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.” ⁴⁰Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. ⁴¹“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. ⁴²Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” ⁴³Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” ⁴⁴Then 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. ⁴⁵You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. ⁴⁶You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷So 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.” ⁴⁸He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Reflection:

She has shown great love. Simon the Pharisee welcomes Jesus, but the reception is superficial. He does not even show Jesus the customary signs of welcome—a kiss, washing of feet, and anointing of head. On the other hand, the woman shows more than the signs of welcome; with her tears, she expresses her profound love or gratitude for God’s forgiveness.

Simon is also forgiven. But the woman shows more gratitude, more appreciation, for God’s gift of forgiveness. Simon may love Jesus, but not as much and not as deep as the woman does.

How do you manifest gratitude

for God’s gift of forgiveness?