A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that He was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind Him at his feet weeping and began to bathe His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:36-38
The woman kissed the feet of Jesus, dried them with her hair and then anointed His head and feet with the ointment. She gave everything she had. She held nothing back. She knows she is a sinner, but, in love, she came to Jesus seeking forgiveness.
As you pray with this Scripture, place yourself in the scene. Maybe you are the Pharisee or one of the invited guests. As you see the woman come to Jesus, watch what she does as she shows great love to Jesus. What happens in your heart as you are present in this encounter? Sit and ponder your own experience in prayer. Maybe you are the woman. You approach Jesus and touch His feet and He reaches down and touches your head. You lift your eyes and Love enters your heart. You are filled with His love and mercy. The fragrance from the ointment is sweet and it fills the room. Jesus gazes at you with great love and you are overcome by this personal encounter with Him. Then He says to you, Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace.
Then Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:44-50
Ponder the woman and how she held nothing back. She poured herself out at the feet of Jesus seeking His love and mercy. Come to Jesus and sit in His Presence in Eucharistic Adoration or before the tabernacle. Ask Him to help you give everything to Him, to hold nothing back. Then watch as He transforms you into the child of God He created you to be.
Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the house of the Lord and speak to the inhabitants of all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord; whatever I command you, tell them, and hold nothing back. Jeremiah 26:2
Hold nothing back. Empty yourself out to the Lord. Give Him everything you have. Trust in the Lord.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; on your own intelligence, do not rely. in all your ways, be mindful of Him and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
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