July 19th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The Uninvited Guest

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Opening Prayer

Just and Merciful Father, help me lean my life in the direction of Your will. Grant me guidance, strength, and peace.

Read Luke 7:36-50

[36] When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. [37] A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. [38] As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. [39] When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is-that she is a sinner.” [40] Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. [41] “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” [43] Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. [44] Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. [46] You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. [47] Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” [48] Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [50] Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has emerged from the kingdom of night” (Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and author).

Think Further

The woman’s reputation as a prostitute was clearly known by the people at the dinner and the way she behaved towards the guest of honor must have seemed sensuous and shocking. Touching Jesus, kissing his feet, massaging them with perfume and then letting down her hair to wrap it round his skin was bound to create a stir. But Jesus does nothing to reject the attention she lavishes on him. He even rebukes his hosts and says she has compensated for their poor hospitality! The incident becomes an opportunity to talk about the release of debts and the way it brings forgiveness and love.

The woman’s love and gratitude are in no doubt, but why does she express them in this way? Perhaps she has observed that Jesus has not been shown the warmth and welcome that he deserves and wants to make up for that in a very public way. Perhaps she identifies with Jesus, recognizing the way people use him for their needs but don’t consider his own. Or perhaps she is bringing her past to Jesus, and laying it at his feet so that she can walk freely and forgiven into the future. Whatever the reason, her tears of love and thankfulness find an echo in Christ’s own heart and her gift is fully received.

The story helps us to understand what redemption can mean in our own lives. When we know ourselves to be accepted and forgiven by God, it enables us to risk public opinion and demonstrate our faith in Jesus. Whatever our past, or size of our debts, we don’t have to drag them through the rest of life. We can bring them with confidence to Christ and he will lift our burdens from us, so we can face life anew.

Apply

Think of the things for which you are grateful to God. Give thanks to him for what he has done and bring God any further needs for forgiveness.

Closing prayer

Lord, help me to recognize the burdens which I do not need to carry, and be ready to place them with gratitude at Your feet.

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