Prayer:
O Jesus, even though I am a sinner, I will approach you.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus at table with the woman at his feet.
Context:
The central figure is the creditor who forgives both debtors. Where can such a man be found? He is God with his inconceivable goodness. The woman understands this goodness. Simon does not and, therefore, cannot accept Jesus allowing the woman to cleanse his feet.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
A certain Pharisee, named Simon, invited Jesus to dine with him. A woman learned of this and brought a vase of perfumed oil. Her tears fell upon his feet and she wiped them with her hair.
Jesus’ host thought, “If this man were a prophet he would know that this woman is a sinner.” Jesus said to his host, “Simon, a certain creditor had two debtors. One owed him five hundred days wages and another fifty. Since neither could pay, he forgave both. Who loved him more?
Simon said, “The one who was forgiven more.” Jesus replied, “When I entered your house, you gave me no water to wash my feet. She washed them with her tears. You gave me no kiss. She has kissed my feet. You did not anoint my head. She has anointed my feet.” I say, “Many sins are forgiven her because she has loved much.”
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
- Before this happened, Jesus had already forgiven the woman’s sins.
- The greatness of her sins leads to her to great thankfulness.
- She expresses this gratitude totally with her perfume, her tears and her hair.
- She desires only to thank Jesus, God’s instrument of forgiveness.
- The whole scene puzzles the Pharisee. He cannot comprehend the woman’s total thankfulness or Jesus’ total acceptance of her.
- Jesus clarifies what has happened. Her love is as deep as her sins used to be. She sinned totally. She was forgiven totally. She now loves totally.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Lord, you have forgiven all my sins. Why do I not love you totally?
- O Jesus, where my sins have been total, my love will be total.
- Jesus, you have redeemed me and bought me back. You own me.
- How can I repay you? I cannot!
- What a blessing to weep at your feet!
- I will anoint you with deepest feelings.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will see my past sins as a cause for thanking God for his mercy.
+ I will thank God for saving me from hell.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
Which of these loved him most?