Are you like the sinful woman crying at Jesus’s feet, clinging to him for mercy? Am I? Do we know how desperate we are for Jesus? Do we abandon propriety to love our Lord with great affection?
Or maybe we’re more like Simon the Pharisee? He was a religious man, very proper and careful to do what was right, or so he thought. He condemned this woman because of her sins. He thought Jesus was foolish for accepting a woman “like that.” When he complained about her Jesus said to him: “Who loves more? The one is forgiven a large debt or the one who is forgiven a small debt?” (Luke 7:42, par)
Tears, Kisses, and Perfume
Simon gave the obvious answer, and Jesus looked tenderly at the woman as he 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. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven — for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:45-47).
It’s a broken, sinful woman — not an educated, upstanding religious man — who shows us how to love God.
If we know that we’ve forgiven much then we will love much. Much love. Much compassion. Much kindness. Without fear. Even to those who don’t deserve it because God has been abundantly generous with us.
A Prayer of Devotion
O Lord Jesus, I love you because your mercy is unfailing. You are the Holy One and yet you touch those considered untouchable. You are courageous and kind, powerful and patient. Through you the generosity of God extends to all — even to me! You keep blessing me even though I don’t deserve it. I fall at your feet and I don’t want to let go. But then I realize I must rise and share your kindness with everyone I can. As I love others in your name I know that your Spirit goes with me. Amen
More Soul Shepherding
“A Little Affection for our Great God” features a short prayer of devotion inspired by this same Gospel story and Psalm 2.
Contact us if we can shepherd your soul in Jesus’ ways of love.
