Wiping the Feet with ones hair

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Twenty Fourth Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 7:36-50*

*First Reading : 1 Tm 4:12-16*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 111:7-8, 9, 10*

*Wiping the Feet with ones hair*

*1) Hair as a symbol of identity and honor*

In the ancient Jewish world:

A woman’s hair was often seen as part of her beauty, dignity, even glory.

Letting it down in public — especially before a man — was considered shameful or intimate.

So when she wipes Jesus' feet with her hair, she’s:

Laying down her pride and self-image

Using her most personal part — not a cloth or a towel — to serve

Accepting the risk of being misunderstood or judged by others

She doesn’t care how she looks — she only cares about honoring Jesus.

What would it look like in your life to *“let down your hair”* in front of God — to be fully honest, unguarded, and humble?

*2) Hair instead of a towel — soft, intimate, vulnerable*

This isn’t a professional act — it’s personal.

She doesn’t have a servant’s towel.

She uses what she has — her own body — her own softness.

This makes the act tender and vulnerable, not just practical. 

She’s not just serving Jesus, she’s loving Him — in the most human, humble way.

Have you ever offered something to God that wasn’t “perfect,” but was genuinely from the heart?

*3) The humility of touching dirty feet with your own hair*

Feet were the lowest, dirtiest part of the body — covered in dust, grime, and travel.

Touching someone’s feet was a servant’s job.

Wiping them with your own hair? That’s total humility.

It’s a way of saying: *“Nothing about me is too good for You. I’ll lower myself as far as I can go to honor You.”*

This isn’t humiliation — it’s chosen humility.

It’s love that kneels.

Do you think there’s a difference between being humiliated and being humble?

Which one do you think this woman shows?

*4) Tears as a symbol of repentance*

These aren’t just emotional tears — they’re tears of the soul.

In Scripture, tears often represent:

Brokenness over sin

Turning back to God

A heart that is soft, not hardened

In this moment, the woman’s tears replace water — what a servant would normally use to wash feet. But she has no basin. No towel. No words.

She brings her sorrow as her offering.

Why do you think Jesus accepted her tears — instead of asking her to speak or explain herself?

*5) Tears as cleansing — for Jesus, but also for her*

Outwardly, she’s washing His feet. But inwardly, something deeper is happening.

Her tears may be cleansing her soul as much as they are cleaning His feet.

In this way:

Her grief is healing

Her weeping becomes worship

Her past isn’t being hidden — it’s being poured out

Can sorrow ever be holy? What’s the difference between tears that heal and tears that just hurt?

*6) Tears instead of words — deep, wordless prayer*

She says nothing in this story. No explanation. No defense. No request.

*Just tears.*

Sometimes, when words fail, tears become our prayer.

Romans 8:26 even says:

“The Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

Her tears speak:

“I’m sorry.”

“I love You.”

“Help me.”

“Thank You.”

Have you ever had a moment when you couldn’t pray with words?

Do you think God hears us in our silence or sorrow?

*7) Final Reflection*

Tears on Jesus’ feet show us:

The power of raw, honest repentance

The beauty of sorrow offered in love

The humility of approaching God with nothing to give — except yourself

*Wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair is*

A sign of humble surrender

A deeply personal act of devotion

A way of saying, “All that I am — even my beauty, my pride, my dignity — I give to You.”

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*