The beautiful side of the Sinful Woman

 GOSPEL THOUGHTS

24th Week – Thursday

Gospel – Luke 7:36-50

First Reading I Cor 15:1-11

The beautiful side of the Sinful Woman

1) There was a sinful woman in the city

This is the very first sentence about the woman found in today's Gospel

This sentence appears to show the identity of the Woman - in which she was called as a sinful woman

Because of this first impression about the woman people tend to think most negatively about the woman and about her character

So many people may get a very bad impression about the character of the woman 

But is this the whole truth 

We many times tend to judge from the first information without going into the depths 

So in this very particular event we will see a different approach to the life of the woman 

2) The beautiful side of the life of the Woman

A) She had great admiration for Jesus

First of she recognized Jesus as a great man, a holy man and a prophet

Because of that when she heard about Jesus, she simply comes to meet Jesus 

B) The courage of the Woman

All Pharisees and other people saw her as a great sinful woman

They might have publicly humiliated her, spoken ill about her and restricted her from public gathering

In such a situation she comes to the Simon the Pharisees house without any hesitation to meet Jesus

We can admire her courage in this situation

C) A costly gift 

*Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment*

This ointment was a very costly thing which she brought for Jesus 

She offered one of the best gifts which she could offer to Jesus, like that of Abel in the Old Testament. 

Judas Iscariot valued the price of this oil was 300 denarius. 1 denarius is equal to Rs 240. So we can calculate the value of this oil

So the woman was so generous to offer this oil to Jesus 

D) The Humility of the Woman 

*she stood behind him* 

This is a great sign of her humility

The gesture of weeping  shows her humility to accept and acknowledge that she is a public sinner 

This is something great and nice of her, because there is not hypocrisy and duplicity.

E)  The maximum level of repentance 

With tears she wipes the feet of Jesus 

It is not the ordinary water but it was tears 

In tears there is only 1% water and 99% is the emotions and feelings. For this woman it was the repentance for her past sins 

F) Total surrender

Wiping them with the hair and kissing the feet of Jesus shows the total surrender of the person

Wetting the feet with tears, wiping them with her hair and anointing with the oil shows the symbol of total cleanliness

It shows a beautiful procedure followed for cleaning Jesus' feet and finally it reflects the Cleansing of her heart and life 

Kissing of the feet is the gesture of total surrender and a right disposition for God's Mercy.

G) Woman who Showed much deep and genuine love

she has shown great love - this is what Jesus says about her 

H) A great woman Whose sins were forgiven

So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - this is what Jesus says about her sins 

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered Psalm 32:1

I) Woman of Deep faith

*Your faith has saved you; go in peace.* - This is what Jesus said about her faith. Fantastic. 

3) A beautiful model for repentance

When we analyze the others side of her life, we get a totally a different picture 

So instead of calling her Sinful Woman we must call her a the Great model for repentance

Am I able to change my perception about the life of this woman? 

4) What about my life?

Do I judge people like that of Pharisee who saw only one side and condemned the woman as sinful woman 

Do I look at only my negative side and condemn myself as useless person or am I able to see the other beautiful side of my life and think differently? 

5) God sees beautiful side rather than darker side

God saw the great and good gestures of woman and not her sins

Jesus did not count her sins but listed her good things and values 

Jesus praised for her humility, deep faith and repentance but never condemned her 

What a great approach of Jesus

Am I able to have this approach?

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones.

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore