The woman who knelt at Jesus’ feet

I enjoyed rereading this beautiful story, in today’s gospel from Luke 7:36-50, about the woman who had come into a Pharisee’s house where Jesus was dining. She knelt behind Jesus, weeping, and as her tears fell on on Jesus’ feet she wiped the tears away with her hair, covering them with kisses and anointing them with oil. Jesus could sense what was going through the mind of his host, the Pharisee called Simon. Simon was thinking, how could this holy man allow this woman, with a bad reputation in town, touch his feet. So Jesus said, “Simon, I want to tell you a story.” Jesus told Simon about the creditor who had two men in his debt, one owed a large amount and the other only a very small amount. He forgave them both. Jesus then asked Simon, “Which of them would love the creditor more?” Simon replied, “The one who was pardoned more.” Then, Jesus gave Simon a lesson in hospitality and gratitude. He told Simon that when he entered his house, Simon did not pour water on Jesus’ feet. Nor did he give Jesus a kiss of effectionate welcome. By contrast, the woman had poured her own tears over Jesus’ feet, wiped them with her hair, kissed them and anointed them with very expensive ointment. Jesus went on to say, “Her many sins, whatever they were, had been well and truly forgiven.” Sadly, the only thing the other guests could wonder was, “Who did he think he is that he could forgive her sins.” What Jesus said, however, was, “It is not so much I who forgives you; it is rather your own faith that saves you. May you go in peace.” What do we do when people who have a reputations around town come to our church? I am sure it would take a lot of courage for someone who is known around town to enter our church because we tend to look across and wonder, “What is he or she doing here?” We easily become judgmental and without putting it into words, think, “Surely the church, this holy place, is only for religious or holy people!” Sometimes, we still need to be taught Jesus’ lesson in hospitality and forgiveness. Our churches should be places where sinners are welcomed, where they find forgiveness, where they are admired for their courage and faith, and where they find peace. And, it just struck me, I didn’t mean to say “they” but rather “we”. Go in peace.