Luke 7:36-50
In the gospel, two people demonstrate contrasting ways of welcoming Jesus. On the one hand, there is the inferior welcome given by a Pharisee named Simon. He invited Jesus for dinner in his house, but he did not give the Lord the kind of welcome that was ordinarily rendered to a respected Jewish guest. For example, he did not care to have the feet of Jesus washed, he did not bother to give him the kiss of peace, and he neglected to anoint his head with oil. On the other hand, there is a woman of bad reputation who showered Jesus with extraordinary welcome. She did not wash the feet of Jesus with water but with her own tears, she did not kiss his cheek but his feet, and she anointed him not with ordinary oil but with an expensive perfume.
What made this woman show more love to Jesus than the wealthy Pharisee? Through the parable of the Two Debtors, Jesus explains that the woman manifested much affection because she was fully aware of how much love she received from God. She knew how sinful she was and that without God's mercy she could not be saved. The Pharisee demonstrated very little love because he did not recognize his great need of God's grace. He thought he was righteous and he felt secure of his salvation. This is the kind of mentality that would not please God.
Today, we are invited to possess the virtue of gratitude for the unmerited benevolence of God. Let us be mindful always of our unworthiness to be in God's company and our great need of His divine mercy.
