June 16, 2013 4th Sunday After Pentecost

Luke 7:36-50

  36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
    39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
    40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
      "Tell me, teacher," he said.
    41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
    43 Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
      "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
    44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
    48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
    49 The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
    50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."


 “Empowered To Love”

Before it is possible for us to truly love God, it is necessary for us to experience the love of God.

Simon was not aware of his need for forgiveness; thus he was not able to be forgiving.  The woman was - and could.
What ever love he might have had was self-generated; hers was forgiveness generated.

To be loved is to be forgiven.
To be forgiven is to be able to love, beyond human imagination.

It is the nature of God to forgive, not to condemn.
To accept, rather then dismiss.
To reconcile, rather than reject.

God forgives first - as much as needed - grace sufficient to cover what ever sins - then waits for something beautiful to happen.
Those who are forgiven much (and know it) will love  much ( and show it).

It is not moral perfection which pleases God - perfection which creates an attitude of condemnation rather than compassion.
It is being forgiven much which pleases God, for then our lives will make a difference and the Kingdom of God will come - through us!