archives: Gospel reflection 11th Sunday

 

Foot massage is a personal even intimate experience. In some cultures, children massage the feet of their parents and grandparents as a matter of course.

 

It is rare in any culture, at any time, however, for a woman to come in off the street, to weep profusely over the feet of a man who is not related to her, and to massage them with expensive perfumed ointment.

 

So what is happening in the first story in today's gospel? What does Luke want to say about Jesus, about the woman, and about Simon the Pharisee who is hosting the dinner where all of this happens? Why does Jesus accept and even affirm such activity on the part of a woman who is identified as a sinner in the city?

 

The story presupposes that the woman knows Jesus to be 'a friend of sinners' (7:34). She also knows her sins have been forgiven. She demonstrates that an extraordinary measure of forgiveness sets one free to love in ways that might appear excessive.

 

Unlike Simon the host, she has already recognised that Jesus is the prophet of God. Simon has little love in his heart: he has not yet experienced the need for forgiveness and fails to recognise God's prophet.

 

Not only does Jesus accept the outpouring of the woman's tears as well as the touch of her hands and her hair on his feet. He actually affirms the goodness of her actions and compares them with Simon's neglect as host.

 

The story of the forgiven woman gives way to that of a group of women who take to the road with Jesus and the 'twelve' and contribute their resources for the sake of the mission. These courageous Galilean Jewish women have known the healing power of God.

 

Mary 'called Magdalene' becomes the lead figure in this circle of prophetic women.

 

Two other women are named. Joanna is identified as the wife of Herod's steward, Chuza. She is no stranger to business affairs. Susanna is not otherwise identified: maybe she is known to Luke's community and requires no further identification.

 

The subsequent narrative indicates that the women continue in the company of Jesus all the way to Jerusalem, that they witness his death and burial and bring the message of the resurrection to the 'apostles' who refuse to accept their word. They feature again in the upper room with Mary the mother of Jesus and the rest of the community as they pray in expectation of the coming of God's Spirit.

 

Both forgiveness and healing can set us free for gospel leadership if we have the courage to take hold of the life-giving power they bring.