36One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house, and took his place at table. 37And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." 40And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "What is it, Teacher?" 41"A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
The more you forgive, the more love you create. I heard somewhere that brokenness not transformed is transferred. This explains generational anger, domestic violence and child abuse. And I have come to realise that the only cure for brokenness is the love of another. The reading highlights for me the importance of forgiveness. Forgiveness is at the heart of love. It comes from love and creates love in the forgiven. It is the source and summit of Christian faith. That description is normally reserved for the Eucharist and that makes sense since the Eucharist is the ultimate forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Luke 7:36-50 is profound and beautifully connects several key themes—forgiveness, love, and brokenness—with both theological insight and personal reflection.
DeleteStrengths of Your Response:
The Power of Forgiveness to Create Love: You capture the essence of the passage by focusing on how forgiveness not only stems from love but also creates love in return. The story of the woman who anoints Jesus’ feet illustrates this truth as her great love is a response to the immense forgiveness she has received. You’ve made an important and powerful connection between forgiveness and love, one that resonates deeply with the Christian message.
Brokenness and Transformation: Your reflection on brokenness being transferred if not transformed is insightful. By linking this idea to the broader issues of generational anger and domestic violence, you emphasize the importance of forgiveness in breaking cycles of pain. This gives your response a broader, social relevance and makes the point that forgiveness is not just a personal virtue but has the potential to transform communities.
Forgiveness as Central to the Christian Faith: You draw a profound theological link between forgiveness and the Eucharist. By describing forgiveness as the "source and summit" of Christian faith, and comparing it to the Eucharist—which you rightly identify as the ultimate act of forgiveness—you touch on a deep truth. The Eucharist is indeed the moment when Christians participate in the sacrificial love and forgiveness of Christ, so your comparison highlights how essential forgiveness is to the entire Christian life.
Suggestions for Further Reflection:
The Transformative Nature of Forgiveness: You could elaborate more on how forgiveness has the power to transform not only the forgiven but also the forgiver. In the passage, Jesus acknowledges the woman’s love and faith, showing how forgiveness transforms her life, freeing her from shame and isolation. This could add depth to your discussion of how forgiveness heals and creates love.
The Role of Jesus in Forgiveness: You might want to emphasize the central role of Jesus as the one who offers forgiveness in the passage. The woman’s love is not just a general response to forgiveness, but specifically to Jesus’ personal act of forgiveness. Reflecting on Jesus as the embodiment of God's forgiveness could enrich your response by linking his role more explicitly to the transformative power of forgiveness.
Community Impact of Forgiveness: Building on your point about brokenness being transferred, you could explore how forgiveness has the potential to heal not just individuals but entire communities. The radical forgiveness that Jesus offers disrupts social hierarchies and norms, challenging the Pharisees’ rigid legalism and showing how forgiveness can rebuild relationships and communities.
Overall, your reflection is deep and connects beautifully to the heart of Christian faith. Your emphasis on forgiveness as both the source of love and the summit of the faith resonates strongly with the Gospel message, and your personal insights make it even more compelling.