Christian Art | The Penitent Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet | King James Audio Bible KJV
Luke 7: 36-50 – Week 24 Ordinary Time, Thursday (King James Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
36 ¶ And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Jesus has been invited to dinner by Simon the Pharisee, which occasion in itself reminds us of the inclusivity of Jesus’ mission. There it would be customary for the men to recline on low divans, leaning on their left arm with their legs tucked under them, away from the table. It would also be customary for the host to honour his guests with a kiss of greeting, with water for their feet, and with perfumes.
The woman is bold indeed to come to Jesus in this circumstance. Perhaps she lives so far outside the norms of society that she has additional strength of mind and purpose. Perhaps her circumstances mean that she is less inhibited, less bound in by convention, and so more capable of responding to the news of Jesus.
It is, then, ironic that when the woman comes to Jesus, she offers to Jesus in super-abundance the social niceties that, it seems, have been neglected by the Simon the host. Perhaps we may infer that it is because of her outcast state that she is able to give so lavishly of the good will that the social customs can too palely imitate.
Above all, we witness in raw fashion the woman’s true, absolute and devastating penitence. What a sign this woman is to recall us to ourselves and so to God. She cuts through hypocrisy – potentially our own. Here is knowledge of the absolute need to throw ourselves at Christ’s feet and to beg forgiveness, confessing our sins. Absolute and unconditional: how it should be for us all.
The Pharisee needs to be taught this lesson by Jesus. This knowledge contradicts what the Pharisee ‘knows’ about sin and righteousness. It is furthermore tied into the clearly implicit declaration by Jesus of his divinity, of Jesus’ being God the Son. We are not told how Simon the Pharisee individually responds; we are told of the murmurings, collectively, of those who are at the table, saying: ‘Who is this, who even forgives sins?’ Who can forgive sins but God alone?
Concluding Prayer | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
Grant us, Lord, a true knowledge of salvation,
so that, free from fear and from the power of our foes,
we may serve you faithfully,
all the days of our life.
We make our prayer through our Lord.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
Jesus’ Forgiveness Of Sin
The story of Jesus’ forgiveness of sin in Luke 7:36-50 is a powerful example of the transformative power of God’s grace. In this passage, we see a woman who is known to be a sinner come to Jesus and anoint his feet with perfume, washing them with her tears and wiping them with her hair. The Pharisees, who were present, criticized Jesus for allowing such a woman to touch him, but Jesus saw her repentance and forgave her sins.
This story speaks to the central message of the Bible, that we are all sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. In the Old Testament, we see countless examples of God’s mercy and forgiveness towards his people, even in the face of their disobedience and rebellion. For example, in Psalm 103:10-12, we read: ‘He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.’
In the New Testament, we see Jesus embodying this message of forgiveness and grace. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), we see a father who forgives his wayward son and welcomes him back with open arms. This parable speaks to the heart of Jesus’ message, that no matter how far we may have strayed, God’s love and forgiveness are always available to us.
The story in Luke 7:36-50 also highlights the importance of repentance and faith in receiving God’s forgiveness. The woman who came to Jesus knew she was a sinner and humbled herself before him, expressing her love and faith in him through her actions. As Jesus says in Luke 7:47: ‘Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.’
Christians have reflected on the meaning and significance of Jesus’ forgiveness of sin. In the Catholic tradition, for example, the sacrament of confession is seen as a means of receiving God’s forgiveness through the ministry of the Church. The Catechism Of The Catholic Church states that ‘sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him’ (CCC 1849) and that ‘the sacrament of Penance is a whole consisting in three actions of the penitent and the priest’s absolution’ (CCC 1480).
Protestant theologians have also grappled with the question of forgiveness and salvation. Martin Luther, for example, emphasized the idea of justification by faith, the belief that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone. Martin Luther wrote: ‘The forgiveness of sins and justification are the same thing. Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.’ (Luther’s Works, vol. 26, p. 354)
In conclusion, the story of Jesus’ forgiveness of sin in Luke 7:36-50 is a powerful reminder of the centrality of God’s grace in the Christian faith. It speaks to the heart of the Bible’s message, that we are all sinners in need of God’s forgiveness, and that this forgiveness is freely available to all who repent and believe.
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John 4:13-14 (KJV) ‘Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ Introduction to the Life of Saint Bernadette Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a humble peasant girl from Lourdes, France, lived her life of faith, humility, and divine grace. Born on January 7, 1844, in the small town of Lourdes, Bernadette was the eldest of nine children in a poor and struggling family. Her father, François Soubirous, was a miller, and her mother, Louise, a laundress. The family lived in a former prison cell known as the Cachot, a damp and cramped space, according to their dire financial situation. Despite their poverty, the Soubirous family was deeply rooted in their Christian faith, a foundation that would profoundly shape Bernadette’s life and spiritual journey. Bernadette’s early years were marked by significant health challenges. She suffered from asthma and other respiratory ailments, which often left her weak and unable to attend school regularly. This lack of formal education meant that Bernadette struggled with reading and writing, and her understanding of Christian doctrine was limited. Nevertheless, she possessed a remarkable simplicity and purity of heart, qualities that would make her an ideal recipient of divine revelations. Bernadette’s life changed irrevocably on February 11, 1858, when she experienced the first of eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the grotto of Massabielle. On that cold winter day, Bernadette, her sister Toinette, and a friend were gathering firewood near the grotto when she heard a rustling sound and saw a beautiful lady dressed in white with a blue sash, holding a rosary. The lady, who later identified herself as the Immaculate Conception, appeared to Bernadette over the course of several months, delivering messages of penance, prayer, and the need for a chapel to be built at the site. Despite initial skepticism from her family and the local authorities, Bernadette remained steadfast in her account of the apparitions, enduring intense scrutiny and even ridicule. The apparitions drew enormous attention. Soon, people from all over France and beyond began to visit Lourdes, hoping to witness a miracle. One of the most significant messages conveyed by the Virgin Mary to Bernadette was the instruction to dig in the ground near the grotto, which led to the discovery of a spring. This spring, believed to have healing properties, became the focal point of the pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many miraculous healings have been attributed to the waters of Lourdes, reinforcing the belief in Bernadette’s visions and the sanctity of the site. As the apparitions concluded, Bernadette’s life took a different turn. In 1866, she joined the Sisters of Charity in Nevers, taking the name Sister Marie-Bernard. Her time in the convent was marked by continued poor health and humility, as she carried out menial tasks and lived a life of quiet service. Despite her physical suffering, Bernadette remained devout and accepted her hardships with grace, often repeating the phrase, “I am happier here in my little corner of the convent.” Her unwavering faith and dedication to her religious duties exemplified the depth of her spiritual commitment. Bernadette Soubirous passed away on April 16, 1879, at the age of 35, after a prolonged battle with tuberculosis. Her legacy, however, endured far beyond her earthly life. In 1933, she was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XI, recognized for her humility, faith, and the miraculous events associated with her life. Today, millions of pilgrims flock to Lourdes each year, seeking spiritual renewal and physical healing at the site of her visions. Saint Bernadette’s life continues to inspire countless individuals around the world, reminding us of the power of faith, the virtue of humility, and the enduring presence of divine grace in our lives. To Visit Lourdes Visiting Lourdes, in the picturesque foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, is an experience that transcends the physical journey, drawing pilgrims into a profound spiritual adventure. The small town, known for the Marian apparitions witnessed by Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, has become one of the world’s most revered pilgrimage sites. As we approach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the atmosphere is imbued with a palpable sense of reverence and anticipation. The grand basilicas, the tranquil Grotto of Massabielle and the gently flowing waters of the miraculous spring together create a sacred environment that invites reflection, prayer, and a deep connection with the divine. The focal point of any visit to Lourdes is the Grotto, where Bernadette experienced the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, pilgrims can touch the rock face, light candles, and drink or bathe in the spring’s water, believed to possess healing properties. The profound silence and sense of sacredness at the Grotto allow visitors to contemplate their faith, seek solace and find spiritual renewal. The Rosary Basilica, with its mosaics, and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, perched above the Grotto, offer spaces for communal worship and personal meditation. The nightly candlelight processions, where pilgrims from around the globe unite in prayer and song, highlight the universal bond of faith and hope that Lourdes represents. Beyond its physical beauty and historical significance, visiting Lourdes offers a deeply personal and transformative experience. Pilgrims often arrive burdened with ailments, grief, or spiritual crises, seeking comfort and miracles. The stories of healing and faith that emerge from Lourdes are testimonies to the enduring power of belief and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The communal aspect of the pilgrimage—sharing meals, prayers, and stories with fellow believers—fosters a sense of solidarity and mutual support. For many, the visit to Lourdes is a journey of healing, not only of the body but also of the soul, providing a renewed sense of purpose, peace, and spiritual clarity that lingers long after returning home. Prayer With Saint Bernadette Prayer for Intercession Dear […]
