Word to the Wise
Thursday, September 16, 2010 - Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian, martyrs
[1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and Luke 7:36-50]"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." [Luke]
This wonderful passage from the Gospel of Luke (which for some strange reason appears only once or twice in the entire two year daily cycle and once in the three year Sunday cycle) is worth reading over and over again. The contrast between the woman and the Pharisee could not be clearer than Jesus' own words, quoted above! The Pharisee is scandalized that Jesus is allowing the "unclean" woman to touch him intimately! It's "bad enough" that she is a woman who is not kin to him, but she has been "branded" as a "sinner" for some unspecified reason. There is no evidence she is a prostitute, but there were many ways a person could be unclean (hence, a sinner), especially if they were engaged in certain other professions or trades. It also appears that she has encountered Jesus before in some way because her actions are clearly those of gratitude for mercy received. It may be that she felt forgiven as soon as she arrived at the house. Her dramatic gesture contrasts sharply with the petty omission of basic gestures of hospitality by the Pharisee! The important connection to be noted in this powerful drama is the relationship between forgiveness, mercy and love! This woman knows what it means to be forgiven and loved by God. Scripture scholars tell us that the community for whom the Gospel of Luke was first written may have needed to be reminded about "building a fence around God." The reminder is one that has to be repeated in every age! Jesus constantly challenged those who criticized him for "eating and drinking with sinners." The letters of Paul, James and John all remind the community it is very easy to create categories of discrimination and then convince oneself that God really only approves of the particular category that one belongs to - especially if that category happens to be socially and economically "better off" than others! God, in that view, becomes a "country club" God. "Elitism" is a cancer that can easily destroy a Christian community. Perhaps we could remember what Jesus did at the Last Supper in the Gospel of John (ch.13) by washing the feet of the disciples. Perhaps we could remember the parable in the Gospel of Matthew (ch. 18) about the unforgiving servant, who failed to show the mercy and love he had received. I think by the time we recall these things, we should stand in line to wash the feet of this dear woman! AMEN
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