Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Who am I today? Who do I relate more with in today’s readings? Am I like the self-righteous Pharisee quick to judge the sinful woman? Am I like the Sinful Woman with abundant love to share because of the abundant forgiveness given? Am I like Paul who, because of his sinful past and dramatic conversion, now sees himself as the least of all the Apostles but able to give glory to God for who he has become?
In Luke’s gospel passage (7: 36-50), I can imagine myself as Simon, the Pharisee, who invited Jesus to his house for dinner. I have made sure that a fine meal is cooked and everything is prepared for my guests, including Jesus. Then, while Jesus is at the table for the meal, a woman from the city who is known to be sinful (perhaps a prostitute) enters uninvited and proceeds to bathe Jesus’ feet with her tears, wipe them with her hair and kiss them before pouring oil and anointing his feet. I can imagine being Simon watching this seemingly dramatic display of humility and being annoyed by the interruption and intrusion into my time with Jesus. I can imagine thinking, as Simon did, “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”(vs. 39)!
Jesus, apparently does know, however, and uses this opportunity to teach about love and forgiveness. Jesus is not annoyed by this woman; rather, he holds her up as an example of one showing great love and respect. “Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” (vs. 47)
The Sinful Woman sought out Jesus and his forgiveness. Her abundant love is the consequence of her forgiveness. Simon, in his self-righteousness and lack of humility, did not seek forgiveness and, therefore, had little love to show. I’ve also known it to be true that, like the Sinful Woman’s experience, being forgiven frees me to love more generously and abundantly. When I deny my own sinfulness and hang on to my self-righteousness it is harder to love others, to give love freely. But when I am honest with myself, and thus with God, I am free to accept God’s forgiveness like the Sinful Woman and the result is an overwhelming love that is hard to contain.
I would like to be more like the Sinful Woman in her faith and courage to humbly pour out her love to Jesus even when she knew she was considered not worthy to approach him. She knew that she was in need of the forgiveness and healing that Jesus offered, and her faith gave her the courage to overcome any shame that might have held her back. Of course, Jesus did not turn her away (and does not turn us away); rather, he responds with love, “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (vs. 48, 50)
And what about Paul? Although I do not have a dramatic conversion story like his, I do believe that “I am what I am” by the grace of God. Like Paul with his conversion, and the Sinful Woman who was pardoned, may we courageously, yet humbly, turn to Jesus in our sinfulness and, receiving his forgiveness, share in the abundance of love poured out freely. Then let us, like Paul, be humbly confident of our identity in Christ Jesus.
- Eileen Miller