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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.”
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
This story is a personal favorite, and I remember well my own tears praying with it over twenty years ago during a retreat in daily life. This gospel passage is especially amenable to the Ignatian method of imaging oneself in the story. Am I one of the guests watching all of this unfold, and if so, how does it strike me? Am I the self-righteous Pharisee: respectable, hosting others, even inviting the Lord into my home, but also not appreciative of exactly who Jesus is, the salvation he offers, and my own need for it? Am I like Jesus, a conduit for the Father’s merciful and forgiving love in a way that transforms the life of someone around me?
I most commonly resonate with the sinful woman, whose name and sin we do not know. As I imagine myself at the feet of Jesus, I wonder, why am I weeping? I suspect many regard this woman as despondent, and I have shed those sorts of tears as well. But the tears of this woman remind me of the tears I often shed after the sacrament of confession. Beyond desperation and shame, these are tears of joy-filled gratitude for the Lord who forgives our sin. Jesus says her sins are forgiven, and hence she loved greatly. His ensuing “Your sins are forgiven” seems more for the crowd than her. Like this woman, I imagine I am at Jesus’ feet not to seek forgiveness, but having heard the Good News that he brings release to captives and lets the oppressed go free, I am there in wondrous awe and adoration.
Like this woman, we hear the Good News of God’s merciful forgiveness and respond in joy. Unlike this woman, we cannot bathe and kiss the Lord’s feet. But her watery tears and oily ointment prefigure the sacraments, where we do indeed encounter Jesus, even bodily in the Eucharist. And the Lord’s “Go in peace” reminds this woman and indeed us of Jesus’ call to share the Good News of the Father’s forgiveness to those whom we encounter.
Accept the desire of our hearts, O Lord, our God, to lavish care and concern on the weary and suffering members of your body this day. May we anoint them with a compassion that wells up from hearts made joyful by the release you have gained for us from debts and trespasses. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
A PODCAST BY FAITH ND
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Deacon Kevin Conneely
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Dr. Joanna Fava
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Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC
A priest who has been a professor, administrator, and university president, Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC, has offered his gifts to many people and places over the years.
Bobby Kloska
Sit in the pub with Bobby Kloska ’90, a man whose deep faith, hopeful outlook, and profound joy may seem surprising given the many hardships he has faced in life.
Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM
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Kristin Komyatte Sheehan
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Tim and Ryan O’Neill
Share in the music and story of The O’Neill Brothers, who have touched many lives through their talents on the piano as well as more recently by establishing a family foundation.
Laura Kelly Fanucci
We next share the story of Laura Kelly Fanucci ’03, a Catholic author whose joy shines even through moments of deep suffering, giving witness to an integrated life of love and compassion for others.
Dr. Craig Humphreys
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Fr. Joe Carey, CSC
Whether in the residence halls, wedding churches, or teaching communities of the Alliance for Catholic Education, Fr. Joe Carey, CSC, has become a resource, friend, and spiritual mentor to so many over the years.
Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas
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Prof. Margaret Pfeil
Season 11 concludes with Prof. Margaret Pfeil, including her long-time commitments of living at the local Catholic Worker community, advocating for peace, and seeking justice for all of God’s people.
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC, shares the moments that eventually led him to a vocation in religious life and priesthood, along with a specific ministry of forming aspiring Catholic teachers.
Avis Boyd
We continue this season with Avis Boyd, a longtime volunteer and alumna of Notre Dame, as she shares her perspective on moving through life with purpose, conviction, and a deep faith, even in the face of adversity.
Tim and Lindsay Will
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Dr. Andrew McShane
Hear the story of Dr. Andrew McShane, Director of the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, as he reflects on a vocation that took shape over time through beautiful music, unexpected loss, and the lasting example of others.
Nan Tulchinsky
Sit courtside with Nan Tulchinsky, a longtime scorekeeper for Notre Dame Women’s and Men’s Basketball, as she shares stories of her remarkable life of dedication to her family, local community, and Catholic faith.
Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR
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Lisa Orchen
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We welcome you to submit your prayers for yourself and others. A volunteer will offer them on your behalf at the Grotto, where a candle representing all prayer requests remains perpetually lit.
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