A Sinner’s Love Based on Luke 7:36-38 (Friday Feb. 26)

 There he is - there’s Simon, with that familiar look of condemnation in his eyes.  He is staring at me, just the way he did last week when I anointed the feet of the master while at his house.  Look at the way he judges me with his glaring, hateful gaze.  If looks could kill, I would be dead for sure.

I have been following Jesus for a while now.  I am so drawn to his mercy, the look in his eye is so different, it shows so much compassion,  He listens to people, he seems to have all the time in the world.  It is as if he gazes right in at the center of your soul. 

These two men are so different.  What is Simon afraid of?  Why did I set him off so much when I anointed Jesus’ feet?  What did I do that was so bad?  Jesus’ feet were so blistered and cracked from the rough roads he walked, they were swollen and red and I just wanted to give him a bit of comfort- doesn’t he deserve it after such long hours teaching in the hot sun?   He gives so much everyday – why can’t he get something in return? What did I do that was so wrong?

Jesus knew what Simon was thinking – he could see what I saw in that hateful gaze.  Jesus’ story taught us all a lot that night.  He asked Simon who owed more to a merciful moneylender, the one who owed 500 denarii or the one who owed 50.   Simon fell right into Jesus trap – and answered, “I guess 500”.   I was so touched by Jesus defense of me through that story.  Jesus knows as well as I do what my life has been, the things I have done that I am not proud of and yet, he could see how desperately I want to embrace the mercy and compassion he teaches.  Jesus forgave me right there on the spot, said I had been forgiven all my sins -- because I loved.  He told me to be at peace --for my faith had changed me and I am worthy.  I will never forget the look on Simon’s face.  He was dumbfounded, he couldn’t say a word. 

There’s Simon now, over there in the crowd, still glaring at me.

O Beloved Jesus, teach me this day, as you did the loving sinner, to be merciful in my thoughts, to be compassionate in my affection, loving in my forgiveness and generous in my gaze. Amen