Reflections from the June 12 Gospel
Luke 7:36—8:3
“Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears.” To anoint Jesus in this way was to pamper him with a luxury. But more than this external offering, the woman also “gave” Jesus her tears. She wept for her sins, for the hope of forgiveness, and for the love of Christ. Also, to wipe his feet with her hair was to give the gift of her humility. Jesus used the opportunity to distinguish between those who love much, and those who love little. The self-righteous, like Simon, have little room in their hearts for love of others because they are so full of the love of themselves. They feel they have nothing to repent for. We are called not to compare our sins to others’ that are “worse” than ours, but rather to honestly recognize where we have failed. Then, like this woman, we can show great love to Christ by giving him the very best of what we have.
Questions of the Week
Luke 7:36—8:3:
What do you think Simon the Pharisee
thought about Jesus after the dinner party
had ended?
2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13:
How is David characterized in today’s reading from 2 Samuel?
Galatians 2:16, 19-21:
In your own words, what is the point Paul is making here?