64. At the House of Simon, the Forgiveness of a Sinful Woman. Lk. 7:30–56

Now one of the Pharisees asked Him to dine with him; and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, there was a sinful woman of that city who, learning that He was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment and, standing behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment.

When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself: “If this man were a prophet, He would know who and what kind of woman is touching Him—that she is a sinner.” But Jesus answered him, saying: “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he said: “Say it, Teacher.”

Jesus said: “A certain creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the larger debt forgiven.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly.”

Then, turning toward the woman, He said to Simon: “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, and you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I came. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Then those who were reclining at table with Him began to say to themselves: “Who is this, that He even forgives sins?” But He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”