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Luke 7 English Standard Version (ESV)

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

³⁶ One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.³⁷ And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, ³⁸ and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

⁴¹ “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” ⁴⁴ 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 wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

REFLECTION:

1. This woman washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and wipes them with her hair. She kisses them and pours perfume over them.  The host, a Pharisee, considers that Jesus has “contaminated” Himself by touching or being touched by someone considered morally, spiritually or physically filthy.
2. But Jesus asked Simon “Do you see this woman?” Jesus asked Simon if he truly sees her – not a sinner, but a person forgiven by God, and is weeping with gratitude and relief, a child of God who is loving as much as she can, who is saved by her faith and who is free to go in peace.
3. Jesus is asking you the same question, “Do you see ……?” Do you truly see people on the street, on the subway, in the mall, in the supermarket?  Do you see people as how Jesus sees them?  How would that make a difference?  How would seeing people as Jesus sees them change your attitude toward them?
4. Talk to Jesus about your “poor spiritual eyesight”, your reluctance, your stereotyping. Wait for the Holy Spirit to touch you and change your perspectives.