Abiding Challenge. Day 1.

DWELL

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.”Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “Speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet.You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” LUKE 7:36-50


REFLECT

Simon, the host of this little party, is offended by the interrupting presence and obscene actions of this woman. Known among the men as a "sinner", she was not welcome in his house. Can you imagine? A dinner party interrupted by this inappropriate behavior. Moreover, Simon questions Jesus' reputation as the recipient of this woman's strange and affectionate gesture. So, the teacher teaches. His little parable about two debtors demonstrates the power of grace to affect one's actions toward others. This woman has been forgiven much in her life and so she is capable of great love and generosity. Simon has been forgiven little, a self-righteous, law-abiding Pharisee. And so his lack of love and generosity reflects his own heart. Cold, judgmental, inhospitable.

Our love for Jesus, and by extension for the people Jesus' loves (the poor, the abused, the oppressed, the minority, the single mother, the addict) is directly related to the measure of grace and compassion we have received from him. Are we able to acknowledge our own faults, shortcomings, failures, and sins? Are we able to receive the grace and forgiveness that Jesus offers us? Faith prepares us to receive that gift. Jesus says to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven you." That is to say, your past failures to obey God's commands do not prevent God from loving you and holding you fast and blessing you with provision, protection, and peace. God loves you. Period.

Jesus said to Simon, "Simon, do you see this woman?" Jesus saw her as a person, a woman, a child of God, a sister. She was a human being worthy of acknowledgment. Simon had all but ignored her. He could not see her, only her sins. How often do we fail to see the person because we are offended by them? This is how the poor are mistreated--characterized as lazy takers and welfare cheats. Or young black men are seen as violent drug dealers.

Ultimately, Simon cannot see this woman, because he cannot see himself. She is a reflection of his own unacknowledged guilt and shame.

Jesus loves Simon and he loves this woman. He desires that they are reconciled to one another. He welcomes them into his life and shows them what it means to love. Because he longs to be in relationship with us. He wants us to experience the fullness of God's love. And to offer it to those who are hurting and vulnerable and lost around us.

What does it take to build a community of reconciliation where prejudice is replaced by love?


PRAYER

Lord Jesus, our love for you comes from a place of gratitude for the deep forgiveness you offer us. Help us to acknowledge our faults and our prejudices; give us the faith to receive your forgiveness and the will to generously share your love with those with whom we take offense and struggle to welcome. Amen.