24th Week in Ordinary Time
Robert Belarmine

1st Reading: 1 Tim 4:12–16
Gospel: Lk 7:36–50
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to share his meal, so he went to the Pharisee’s home and as usual reclined on the sofa to eat. And it happened that a woman of this town, who was known as a sinner, heard that he was in the Pharisee’s house. She brought a precious jar of perfume and stood behind him at his feet, weeping. She wet his feet with tears, she dried them with her hair and kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them.
The Pharisee who had invited Jesus was watching and thought, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what sort of person is touching him; isn’t this woman a sinner?”
Then Jesus spoke to the Pharisee and said, “Simon, I have something to ask you.” He answered, “Speak, master.” And Jesus said, “Two people were in debt to the same creditor. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty. As they were unable to pay him back, he graciously canceled the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?”
Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, who was forgiven more.” And Jesus said, “You are right.” And turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? You gave me no water for my feet when I entered your house, but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You didn’t welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since she came in. You provided no oil for my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. This is why, I tell you, her sins, her many sins, are forgiven, because of her great love. But the one who is forgiven little, has little love.”
Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others sitting with him at the table began to wonder, “Now this man claims to forgive sins!” But Jesus again spoke to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Commentary
Today’s gospel develops the analogy between sin and illness. It opens with the longing of the woman for forgiveness of her sins, and how this is exactly the situation of the penitent sinner, who is sick from sin. The very physical attributes, which had been used to charm the woman’s clients, are the instruments of her salvation. Her humanity is transformed through the correct use of her body, which becomes the sacrifice of a contrite heart, with the tears flowing in place of blood, and the mortified flesh and skin represented by her hair. She washes his feet, the symbol of his incarnation.
Christ’s dual nature is mirrored by his receiving both physical and spiritual offerings: the table of food from the Pharisee and the table of penitence from the woman. The healing He gives is of the whole person. The woman’s initiative makes possible the act of forgiveness: through washing she is washed, and in washing something pure she is purified. Christ, in his mercy and wisdom, offers healing to those, who seek Him. He always replies to our faith in Him, whether we be sick or sinner!

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