REFLECTIONS TODAY
Sometimes when we think we are a good person — we do not harm others, we follow all God’s commandments, etc. — we can begin to judge others easily. We forget that no matter how good we think we are, we are never perfect. Simon, the Pharisee, represents this sort of person. And he comes out the less loving of the two characters that Jesus relates with. The woman at the feet of Jesus might have been really sinful, but she shows great love and respect towards Jesus, as if she was already forgiven. Simon, on the other hand, as Jesus says, does not even offer him the customary hospitality. Perhaps Simon thinks she is on the same level as Jesus, or he, Simon, is even higher than Jesus, being the host. And so he comes out as a cold, uncaring, host to Jesus. Indeed, it is very easy to judge others than to examine ourselves first. Many of us are guilty, not of evil deeds, perhaps, but of inaction, omission, indifference.
GOSPEL • 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.”SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.