Scripture: Luke 7:37
And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
Thought for the Day: The New Jerusalem translation of this passage says the woman had a “bad name in town.” This was a nice way of saying that she was probably a prostitute, and though many have tried to make a connection between this woman and Mary Magdalene, it simply isn’t true. One of the things I liked about the movie, “The Da Vinci Code,” was its historical accuracy in pointing out how one of the early Popes made an incorrect connection between this unnamed woman and Mary Magdalene (there were many inaccuracies in the movie as well). From that point on it was always assumed that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute…which there is nothing in scripture to indicate. This is an important reminder to the church of its potential power over people’s reputations. As the supposed moral standard-bearer, the church can so easily destroy an individual’s reputation with a single word. Instead, we need to look to Jesus who did just the opposite. When the opportunity came to push down an individual whose reputation was already scandalous, Jesus chose to return this woman’s humanity and bless her. Our moral obligation is to witness to the Good News of God’s redemptive care.
Prayer: O Holy and Gracious God, make me a catalyst of your redemptive love in this world that often takes pleasure in destroying people’s reputations. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Pancake Dinner at 5:30pm
Proceeds support our Area Camp Ground
Ash Wednesday Service at 6:45pm
