Her Many Sins Are Forgiven for She Loved Much

Thursday, 19 September 2024. Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Ps. 118:1-2,15-17,28, Luke 7:36-50

“A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” (Luke 7:41-43)

Jesus was at the house of one Pharisee who had invited him over. As much as many Pharisees hated Jesus, Jesus loved them perfectly. True love is not being kind only to those who love you (trade by barter); true love is being able to eat even in the house of your enemy, the house of someone you know is planning to kill you.

- While Jesus was there, a woman of the city nicknamed “sinner” came in with her alabaster jar of oil, stood by Jesus’s feet and began to wet them with her tears, wipe them with her hair, kiss them with her lips and anoint them with her expensive oil.

- No one dared to say anything, but Jesus knew what they were thinking in their hearts: “If this man (Jesus) were a real prophet, he would have known that this woman touching him is not a good person.” We always judge people based on our sinfulness. For instance, a thief believes every person who tiptoes in the dark will steal. Watch out for how you condemn others; you are probably projecting your guilt towards them.

- This woman shed tears because she regretted her past life (she had a bad reputation). This is the correct attitude we must have when we confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance. This woman did not speak but used her tears to confess her sins. She was truly sorry, and in the end, she was forgiven for her sins.

- We cannot deceive God in the sacrament confession; we cannot pretend to be sorry when, deep within us, we are planning to repeat the same sins. When you go for confession, prepare yourself and make a firm resolution. God, who sees your heart, will support you and grant you the necessary graces to avoid repeating your sins.

- Using her hair (her pride) to wipe Jesus’ feet was an act of self-humiliation before God; her action can be compared to the tax collector who would not bother to raise his head when he went to the temple to pray. If we believe in God, we will humble ourselves in His presence. We would not turn His house into a social gathering.

- In kissing the feet of Jesus in public, this woman was expressing her rejection of her past lovers. This is what we do when we publicly recite the Creed. Using our lips to confess our allegiance to God, we denounce any attachment to the devil. In as much as it is not wrong to confess our sins secretly, the church, in its wisdom, recommends confessing “our sins to one another” (James 5:16). If you truly desire to repent from a sinful habit, talk about it in the open, this way you break your attachment to it.

- Using her ointment to anoint Jesus’ feet, this woman made a sacrificial offering to Jesus. Matthew’s and Mark’s versions of this passage tell us that Judas complained that the oil could have been sold. The point here is that this woman made a huge sacrifice by this action. She acted like the man who, upon finding a treasure in a field, sold all he had to buy that field.

- If we truly love God, nothing will be too much in our eyes to give to Him. And what can we give to God? The sacrifice of abstaining from sin, the holiness of life, the purity of heart, and loving our neighbours as we love ourselves are gifts that please God.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach us to love better and to strive only to please you. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 24 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Ps. 118:1-2, 15-17, 28, Luke 7:36-50).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu