THE WORD
1 Tim 4: 12–16 / Lk 7: 36–50
A Pharisee invited him 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.”
IN OTHER WORDS
Why are primetime television slots given to telenovelas? The answer is obvious. The majority of viewers enjoy drama. Our gospel today is like a drama. If I were to present it on stage, I would call it Tatlong Puso: Alin ang Sa Iyo?(Three Hearts: Which One Is Yours?) The story vividly shows us three hearts: the cold, calculating heart of Simon; the grateful, lavish heart of the sinful woman; and the compassionate, unconditional heart of Jesus.
While Simon, the Pharisee, had enough interest (self-interest or otherwise) to invite Jesus to his banquet, his welcome for him was half-hearted, lacking warmth. He did not offer him the customary courtesies afforded to a guest. He even suspected him of being a fake prophet.
The woman, on the other hand, was wholehearted, even lavish, in showing her gratitude and love for Jesus. Let us remember that at that time people normally travelled on foot. They wore sandals. The roads were dusty. The feet were considered the dirtiest part of the body. Yet the woman cleaned and cooled Jesus’ feet (a task of slaves), kissed them continuously and dried them with her unbound hair. Moreover, she broke an expensive alabaster flask of perfume to anoint them. How lavish she was in expressing her gratitude and love! She gave the best response she knew, even if those ways were taboo. After all, Jesus just gave her back her dignity and freedom. She lived in a society where honor and belonging to a group were core values. And there she was, ostracized for her sinful way of life. Surely, she lived in shame and agony —until she met Jesus who accepted her without condemnation. And he even forgave her great sin! No wonder she did not care what other people would think and say. All she was concerned about was that she could let Jesus know how grateful she was for her new life, and how much she loved him in response to his unconditional love for her.
The woman surely made a scandalous scene. She not only touched Jesus in public; she also let loose her hair, a very immodest act, in order to dry Jesus’ feet! Yet Jesus was unfazed! He understood her; he accepted her without judgment, without condition.
Indeed, Jesus welcomes with open arms sinners and the marginalized, like the woman. However, he likewise welcomes those preoccupied with judging others, like Simon and the other guests, and even the self-righteous ones like the Pharisees including Simon, who do not see themselves as sinners because they fulfill the Law. Such is his unconditional heart.
Tatlong puso: alin ang sa iyo? At ako naman, alin ang pipiliin ko sa araw na ito? (Which heart will I choose to have today?)
- Vilma Puzon, SSpS (Tayum, Abra)
The Word in other words 2015
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
