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17 Sin are forgiven



Gospel
Luke 7:36-50
Her many sins have been forgiven, or she would not have shown such great love

One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.
    When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has.’ Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak, Master’ was the reply. ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’ ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are right.’
    Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

 Reflection
This passage highlights the profound connection between forgiveness and love. The woman, burdened by her past, offers an extravagant act of devotion, while Simon the Pharisee remains cold and judgmental. Jesus teaches that those who recognize the depth of their need for mercy are capable of the greatest love. The woman’s tears and ointment were visible signs of a heart transformed by grace. Jesus honors her faith, reminding us that no matter our history, experiencing God's mercy invites us into a life of peace. True gratitude is born when we realize how much we have been truly forgiven.

 Reflection Question
When looking at others—or even myself—do I lead with the judgment of Simon, or do I make space for the transformative and healing power of God’s mercy?

 Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your infinite mercy. Grant me a heart like the woman in the Gospel—humble, brave, and overflowing with love. Help me to recognize my own daily need for Your grace so that I may extend that same compassion, forgiveness, and peace to every person I meet. Amen.

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