Today’s Gospel:  Luke 7:36-50

REFLECTION
Somewhere within the shadowy hovels of the city, a poor woman prepared for her nightly escapade. She was a great sinner and regularly went out to break the heart of God. We do not know what ugly combination of circumstances brought her to such a low level of morality; nor do we know whether or not she cared. She took from its resting place her box of perfume, and appreciating its powers of attraction, used it to adorn her person. Then, extinguishing the lamp, she stepped into the street, and her night had begun. Somewhere she probably saw a crowd, and hearing the voice of a Stranger, drew near and came face to face with Jesus. We can only guess as to the nature of His message, but we are sure His words reached her soul. Soon she forgot the purpose of her coming into the city, and retraced her steps homeward. She had met Jesus and His words could never be forgotten... She felt unclean; and hardly knew what to do; she loathed herself. This was her first step along the pathway to pardon.

Mechanically she lifted her precious box of ointment, and as her fingers closed around her treasure, she made her greatest decision. If she accepted and followed the Teacher’s way of life, she would never again need this questionable adornment. The purpose for which it was meant would be non-existent in her life. If she took it to Him how would she earn her living? It was sufficient to know her need for cleansing. She made inquiries at the meeting place, and ascertaining that Jesus had gone to dine with Simon the Pharisee, she walked to the well known house. “And behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head. It must be remembered that a decent Hebrew woman always covered her head in public.  By exposing her hair, this woman was demonstrating extreme self-debasement and humility.  Her conviction had deepened to contrition. We must not confuse these two steps. Conviction revealed sinfulness; contrition revealed sorrow. Many people know conviction of soul, yet persistently follow the path of evil. Contrition is much closer to God’s heart than conviction.

“She anointed his feet with the ointment.” Bowing before the mounting storm of criticism, she listened to the words of the Lord, and found peace. Jesus alone read correctly the confession behind the broken box. The other guests looked into it and saw fragrant perfume; Christ looked and saw a broken heart and a contrite spirit. He knew that she was trying to say, “Lord, I shall never need this again, for the old life is now dead,” “And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven... Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” He saw her broken heart and tenderly healed it. The perfume of that box of ointment slowly filled the room, and then escaped to fill the world: it is still with us. We imagine the woman’s homegoing; and if sleep seemed elusive that night, maybe, she continued to remember His words: “Thy sins are forgiven... go in peace.” She was not commanded to reach new heights of morality in order to atone for former failures; nor was she instructed to bow before the priest in the synagogue. The only confessional box she ever knew was the small one broken in His presence. How can a man obtain the forgiveness of sins? He must realize his need; be ashamed of his guilt; and in sincerity of soul seek the Savior.

None who to Jesus came were ever turned away.

Today’s Reading:  1 Cor 15:1-11

PRAYER
Lord, heal our broken hearts.  Forgive us our sins, and help us never to go back to them again.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.