OMG, What Is Even Happening Right Now?
Psalm 131, 132, [133] • Psalm 134, 135
Micah 3:1-8 • Acts 24:1-23 • Luke 7:36-50
In the seventh chapter of Luke we find a familiar story. Two people are interested in Jesus and seek out his company. One seems to come away from the experience totally transformed while the other doesn’t. One of them was a Pharisee named Simon (think educated well-read authority). He invites Jesus over for supper. He wants to know Jesus closer. You can tell because of how Simon calls Jesus “Master” or “Teacher.” When Jesus tells Simon, He has something to tell him. Simon seems eager to hear. The other person in this encounter is a woman that also wants to meet Jesus. The only background we have on her is that she’s a sinner. And that she kind of invites herself over. While Jesus is talking to Simon the woman begins to anoint Jesus’s feet with valuable ointment, her tears, and her own hair. She’s literally on the floor washing Jesus’s feet with the hair on her head.
Can you imagine this situation? Without thinking too hard, where would you immediately place yourself in the story? If you were there in the scene, what character would you be? This popular Rabbi has come to your home for a meal and a chat. An unexpected woman has appeared, is crying, and anointing your guest’s feet with fragrant oils that probably fills the room. How do you proceed? How do you focus? What are you thinking? Simon was thinking to himself, geez does this guy even know who is washing his feet? Jesus being Lord, knows Simon’s thoughts and teaches him a parable about forgiveness. Two people owed a debt and when they couldn’t pay, the lender “frankly forgives them both.” Jesus asks Simon who he thinks will love the lender more. Simon replies probably the person who was in most need of forgiveness.
When I think of this story, I wonder what was so different about Simon and the woman that allowed the woman to see something in Jesus that Simon did not. Though I wish it were different, I think more often than not I can be Simon. While Simon had knowledge, he wasn’t devoid of ignorance. And while the woman may have had a bad reputation, she was full of knowledge and more, faith. The woman recognized in Jesus not a Rabbi, but Lord and Master. I think she must have been aware of her shortcomings while Simon may not have been. She understood her situation and relation to God incarnate. When I really think about, I’m willing to bet her tears weren’t manic expressions of fear either, but tears of joy and consolation. Her faith saved her. When you are feeling unsure in a crazy world, or better yet, when you are feeling uber confident about your own credentials—remember this story. And have hope. Go in peace. Remember to he that loveth much, much is forgiven, and that charity covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and forever (Psalm 131:3).
Written by Jonathan Wright
Jonathan is a native of Atlanta, GA, and a new member to St. Paul’s. A relatively new Episcopalian, Jonathan moved to the parish from the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark in Salt Lake City, UT.