Luke 7:47

"Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little" (Luke 7:47 RSV).

Comment:

This is basically the "punch line" for the story of a woman who goes to Jesus while he is at table in a Pharisee's house, anoints his feet with ointment, and dries them with her hair. It may seem odd today, but it was a common form of hospitality, and of honoring someone's presence. Jesus exercised the same ritual in the Gospel of John when he washes the feet of his disciples. The Pharisees at table profess to be shocked because the woman is known (or presumed) to be a sinner. (There is no justification, by the way, for the church tradition that this woman is Mary Magdalene.) Jesus' point is that love trumps sin. If we understand 'sin' to be error thought, then the love she is expressing is a clear indication that her thoughts and understanding are now aligned with Truth. He does not say to her, "I forgive you your sins." He simply states the truth: "Your sins are forgiven." She's done that herself, by choosing to express love.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed