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Gospel Reading for September 18, 2025 – Luke 7: 36-50
INDIFFERENCE
A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, 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 and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “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.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
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Sometimes, persons who are known to be public sinners continue being such because of the INDIFFERENCE of the people around them. The attitude of the Pharisee in this gospel reading is what discourages sinners to atone for their sins, to make amends. Public sinners have invisible bands around their head with the caption: “SINNER.” Why is this so? Most probably, it is an unconscious desire to be called “Pure.” The Pharisees thrived on sinners, because the latter gave them a reason to brag about their so-called “Purity.”
The sinful woman, upon learning where Jesus was, went to him and showed her repentance in a very humble way – washing and kissing the feet of Jesus. Jesus saw how contrite she was and gave her peace.
Sometimes, public sinners just need to meet someone who will understand them and who will accept them as persons, and is willing to journey with them towards conversion.
Lord Jesus, help us to remember always that all of us are sinners, that’s why we need you as our Saviour!
