Luke 7:36-50

1 Timothy 4:12-16

Psalm 111:7-8, 9, 10

Luke 7:36-50

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,

and he entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at table.

Now 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,

she 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.

When 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.”

Jesus said to him in reply,

“Simon, I have something to say to you.”

‘Tell me, teacher,” he said.

“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;

one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.

Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.

Which of them will love him more?”

Simon said in reply,

“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”

He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Then 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.

You did not give me a kiss,

but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.

You did not anoint my head with oil,

but she anointed my feet with ointment.

So 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.”

He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

The others at table said to themselves,

“Who is this who even forgives sins?”

But he said to the woman,

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for the gift of your mercy. You have forgiven my many sins by sending your Son to redeem me and call me to repentance. May I be reconciled with you when I fall and restored to life with you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The One Who Can Forgive Sins: All four Gospels present Jesus as the one who can forgive sins. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the healing of the paralytic, a miracle that shows that Jesus has the power to forgive sins (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26). In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist bears witness that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:26). The author of the Letter to the Hebrews argues that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross takes away our sin: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22). Unlike the high priest who entered the earthly sanctuary with the blood of animals, which cannot take away sin, Christ our High Priest entered the heavenly sanctuary with his own blood, which does take away sin. We, then, have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all (Hebrews 10:10). In the power of the Spirit, Jesus offered himself without blemish to God. He perfected human nature through his sacrifice and communicates that perfection to us who believe in him (see Vanhoye, A Different Priest, 286). Christ’s blood purifies our conscience and enables us to serve God (Hebrews 9:14).

2. Simon the Pharisee vs. the Repentant Woman: In the Gospel, Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus into his home, but refused to believe in him. He felt no need to treat Jesus as an honored guest. As well, Simon was blind to his sinfulness in the presence of his Lord. The woman, on the other hand, sought out Jesus not to satisfy her curiosity but to be freed from her many sins. She expressed her faith in Jesus and love for him by washing and anointing his feet. Simon mistakenly thought that he was justified by his works and meticulous fulfillment of the Old Law. But his works were devoid of faith and love. The woman, however, understood that true righteousness comes not from herself but from God. Only works of love informed by faith in Jesus and united to him can justify us.

3. Paul’s Advice to Timothy: Paul begins his advice to Timothy in the First Reading, giving him the counsel “let no one have contempt for your youth.” Timothy is likely approaching the age of forty, so Paul is telling him not to be cowed by what others might say or think. Timothy has been given authority to govern the Church and should govern by his example. “In this sense, Timothy should be the pattern for his flock, someone for them to imitate and even begin to look life. Paul did not hesitate to tell his readers to imitate him (1 Cor 4:16; 11:1). Now he implicitly does the same for Timothy in relation to those in his charge. Timothy’s conduct should be exemplary in his conversations, in the fraternal love he shows to all, and in faith” (Montague, First and Second Timothy, Titus, 99-100). Timothy needs to be faithful in the discharge of his duties and a man of integrity. Timothy has three main tasks in Ephesus. First, he is to read and explain the Scriptures. Second, he is to exhort the people in faith, hope, and love. Third, he is to teach sound doctrine. These three tasks – explaining Scripture, moral and spiritual exhortation, and orthodox teaching – are seen not as human achievements, but as gifts and charisms from God the Holy Spirit. 

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you sit at the right hand of the Father on the throne of mercy. I approach this throne with confidence today, knowing that you will welcome me. I come before you today with a humble and contrite heart and ask for the strength to overcome the temptations to sin.

Living the Word of God: When was the last time I celebrated and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation? How have I lived since then? How can I better examine my conscience before receiving the sacrament?