Simon the Pharisee in today’s Gospel, has an apparent openness to the Lord and invites him to dine with him. Despite Jesus’ reputation among the Jewish religious leaders, Simon has him come to his home. He engages Jesus in cordial conversation hoping to learn more about him and his teaching.
In this story, there is another important character. It is the sinful woman who washed Christ’s feet and anointed them with oil. I would say a very unusual and distracting occurrence at a dinner. I’m surprised they didn’t throw her out immediately. But Jesus, rather than seeing her as a distraction or even a sinful person, sees only her faith and her love. In this story she becomes the teacher. She taught that the power of Jesus’ forgiveness is stronger than the shame of sin. She taught that those who encounter Jesus’ mercy can be transformed by it. Her love was not calculated but extravagant. She took the most precious thing she had and spent it all on Jesus. She was totally motivated by love.
Jesus for his part, never missed an opportunity to draw a lesson from a deed such as this. Jesus can teach us in surprising ways if we, like the Pharisee, invite him into our home. He shows us that we must be motivated by love in all we do. Jesus speaks to us always, but sometimes through people we least expect.
St. Joseph, pray for us !
DeColores, Deacon Doug
