|
I have to
introduce and conclude this next parable with the text surrounding it
because it is so beautiful. The story of St. Mary Magdalen is one close
to my heart.
Introduction:
Luke 7:36-40
And one of the
Pharisees desired him to eat with him. And he went into the house of
the Pharisee, and sat down to meat.
And behold a woman that was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that
he sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of
ointment; And standing behind at his feet, she began to wash his feet,
with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his
feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
And the Pharisee, who had invited him, seeing it, spoke within himself,
saying: This man, if he were a prophet, would know surely who and what
manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.
And Jesus answering, said to him: Simon, I have somewhat to say to
thee. But he said: Master, say it.
The Parable
Itself: Luke 7:41-43
A certain
creditor had two debtors, the one who owed five hundred pence, and the
other fifty. And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them
both. Which therefore of the two loveth him most? Simon answering,
said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said to him:
Thou hast judged rightly.
The
conclusion: Luke 7:44-50
And turning to
the woman, he said unto Simon: Dost thou see this woman? I entered into
thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she with tears hath
washed my feet, and with her hairs hath wiped them. Thou gavest me no
kiss; but she, since she came 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 are forgiven her, because she hath
loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less. And he said
to her: Thy sins are forgiven thee. And they that sat at meat with him
began to say within themselves: Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
And he said to the woman: Thy faith hath made thee safe, go in peace.
Commentary
from the Catholic Encyclopedia
In St. Luke the
two debtors is spoken by our Lord to Simon "the leper" (Mark 14:2-9) on
occasion of Mary Magdalene's conversion, with its touching
circumstances. At least since St. Gregory the Great, Catholic writers
have so understood the history. The double saying "Many sins are
forgiven her, for she loved much", and "to whom less is forgiven, he
loveth less", has a perfectly clear human sense, in accordance with
facts.
We cannot deduce from such almost proverbial expressions a theory of
justification. The lesson concerns gratitude for mercies received, with
a strong emphasis on the hard arrogance of the Pharisee over against
the lowly and tender bearing of the "woman who was a sinner".
|
|
