in, hath not ceased to kiss My feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she with ointment hath anointed My feet. Wherefore, I say to thee, many sins [1] are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less.” [2]
Then turning to Magdalen, He said: “Thy sins are forgiven thee. Thy faith[3] hath made thee safe[4]. Go in peace.”[5]
COMMENTARY.
The Divinity of our Lord. In this story our Lord manifested His Divinity in several ways. He showed His Omniscience by His knowledge of Simon’s secret thoughts, and of the loving repentance of the poor sinner. He is the creditor to whom all sinners owe a debt, which none of us are able to pay, and from which we can only beg Him to release us. He is the Holy God whom our sins offend, and He forgives us by His own power, which only God can do.
The Compassion of Jesus. He also manifested Himself as the gentle and merciful Redeemer who came not to judge but to save, and who does not thrust sinners from Him, but draws them to Him by His grace, and pardons those who are contrite. He did not reproach the penitent woman; He defended her against the harsh judgment of the Pharisee, praised her works of penance, and by His words of absolution poured balm into her wounded heart.
- ↑ Many sins. The woman had showed a great love, because her many sins were forgiven her.
- ↑ Loveth less. Like the Pharisee, who, in his self-satisfaction, thought that God had very little to forgive him.
- ↑ Thy faith. In Me, the Redeemer.
- ↑ Safe. Has given you the hope of pardon, and moved you to contrition and penance.
- ↑ In peace. Thus our Lord, for the consolation of this poor woman, pronounced the words of that forgiveness, which her love had already gained for her. At these words of our Lord a heavenly peace took possession of the heart of the penitent sinner. She had obtained that which she had so earnestly desired, viz. pardon and grace. These gracious words none but a God. and a God of infinite mercy and goodness, could have spoken. They have been ever since, and will be to the end of time, a source of hope and consolation to repentant sinners.
