Scripture: Luke 7:40-50
Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then 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 bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Thought for the Day: This is a lengthier passage of scripture, yet I invite you to reread it a couple of times. Let yourself take on the individual characters. Think of yourself as Simon who is hesitant in letting God’s love reach beyond the previously approved group of ‘good people’. Think of yourself as a representative of Christ who lavishly extends love and forgiveness to those outside the previously approved group of ‘good people’. Think of yourself as the woman who has always felt like an outsider, yet she receives these great gifts from Jesus. If you are like me, there is a little of each one of these characters found within.
Prayer: O God of immeasurable love, break down the barriers that attempt to limit your grace, and in doing so, spill this rich and transformative gift upon me. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday
Dinner at 5:30pm
Music begins at 6:30pm
Worship at 6:45pm
Join us…invite a friend…
