Stroll through Scripture for February 23, 2025

Based on Luke 7:36-50

This is the third week in a row that the lectionary has us encounter Jesus in unexpected ways – all in the confines of Luke 7.   At the beginning of chapter 7 Jesus healed a Centurion’s slave (a Centurion would have been considered unclean) and raises a dead man (again unclean).  Then John sends his people to find out if Jesus is the One and Jesus tells them to share what they are seeing – many of the miracles that Jesus is doing would be Jesus touching those considered “unclean.”  And now at the end of chapter 7, we have Jesus touching and forgiving another unclean woman.  

In this pericope we Luke sets the stage right off the bat – It’s a Pharisee who invites Jesus to a meal versus a woman who we are told “was a sinner.”  (vs. 36).  You can almost visualize the scene.  Jesus is sitting at the dining room table in a house that is nicely clean and orderly with everything in its place where you would expect it to be.  I’m wondering what the seating arrangement was – who would be sitting at the head of the table?  

So often expectations serve as a way to reinforce the status quo – to keep things the way they are.  In some sense, they are way to maintain control.  Control has been a problem for humans since the beginning.  We are addicted to having a sense of control over our lives and surroundings.  The reality is we have very little power to control.  But the façade of control is enough of a hit of the drug of control to usually keep us believing that we have control.  

Simon, the Pharisee makes a comment within ear shot of Jesus.  Simon seems intent on maintaining the status quo.  And why not, he is benefiting from it, or so he thinks he is.  He’s at the table in a respectable position while the unnamed woman is known as an unclean person in the community.  By social standards, he sees himself as better than her.  

In the time and context of the story, hospitality is extremely important.  Simon thinks he has offered this to Jesus – an important rabbi who he invited to come to his house for a meal.  But Jesus points out that the expected signs of hospitality haven’t even been done – washing of his feet, a greeting kiss, and anointing with oil.  Instead, the “unclean” woman is the one who goes beyond the expectations to offer hospitality in the only way she can. 

By the end of the interaction, we have two opposing situations going on.  Those at the table with Simon and Jesus miss the point and ask “Who is this who even forgives sins?”  They are still concerned with maintaining position, privilege, order, and control.  While the woman walks away forgiven.  She humbled herself, offered love, and was sincere.  She didn’t seek to be better than anyone else.  She was seen though.  And Jesus sends her off with peace – something that didn’t reside at the table. 

Questions for further reelection:

• What status quo do we believe we benefit from and want to preserve?  Why?
• What status quo are we the victim of and want to change?  Why?
• In this story, Jesus comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.  Where do you see Jesus doing that today?