Little is Forgiven

“Little is forgiven the one whose love is small." Luke 7:47

What a dramatic turn of events in this chapter of Luke! Simon, a Pharisee, invites Jesus to dinner at his home. Jesus accepts, and as He reclines, his legs and feet stretched out away from the table, a woman of some reputation comes uninvited. She is weeping, and she uses her hair to wipe away the dirt and grime of Jesus' feet. She opens her precious perfumed oil in its alabaster vase, and uses it on Jesus' feet. We can imagine Simon with a little sneer on his mouth. He is a little amused by this, too entertained to put a stop to this intrusion into his home. He should have had her thrown out for her impertinence, but he likes seeing this so-called prophet and teacher being pampered by a "sinner"! During the first century, if a woman let down her hair, she could be divorced by her husband, and here, this woman, not only uncovered her hair, but was using her tresses to wipe Jesus' feet! If this ‘prophet’, Jesus, was really wise, Simon thought, he should know what sort of woman she was and would not have allowed her to touch him!!!!

But of course, Jesus knows everything Simon is thinking, all the nuances, and He also knows what the woman is thinking and feeling and going through. Just as He knows our heart and mind as well! Oh the shame! Jesus sees all the condemnation and judgement in our mind. The lack of love in our heart. He knows when we look at others with indifference, when there is no charity in our spirit for others who need our help. What did Jesus say? "Little is forgiven the one whose love is small." Do we want to be forgiven? Then we have to tap into the well of love that God has for us and for all sinners like us. We need to see ourselves and others the way God sees us. Then there will be no room for condemnation, only compassion.

The Priceless Gift of Forgiveness

Pleeease forgive me for always having a messy desk!

Everyone has been so nice, saying it is busy, creative,

but let's face it- it is all out, no holds barred, MESSY!

And today is no different!

I always have such a small space to work!

Do you see the empty nebules of Flixotide above my journal?

Most people would throw that away, but not me!

I'm planning to make vases out of it!

On my journal this morning is a quote from Romans 2:4:

"Do you hold His priceless kindness, 

forbearance and patience in low esteem,

unaware that the kindness of God

would lead you to repentance?"

If you are anything like me, 

you don't like asking for forgiveness,

whether from a human being or from God!

There's a lot of junk in our life

(and I'm not just talking about nebules!)

that need flushing out, cleaning up,

and relegating to the dust bin,

but do we do it?

St. Augustine is the patron saint of brewers

because for many years he lived his life 

wantonly enjoying himself with parties

and worldly pursuits.

As the story goes (from Catholic.org),

he heard about two men who had

suddenly been converted and 

he felt terribly ashamed of himself.

"What are we doing?" he cried to his friend.

"Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, 

while we, with all our knowledge, are so cowardly

that we keep rolling around in the mud of our sins!"

Full of bitter sorrow, Augustine flung himself

out into the garden and cried out to God,

"How long more, O Lord? Why does not this hour 

put an end to my sins?"

Just then he heard a child singing,

"Take up and read!"

Thinking God intended him to hear those words,

he picked up the book of the 

Letters of Saint Paul, and read the first passage

his gaze fell on. It was just what Augustine needed,

for in it, St. Paul says to put away all impurity 

and to live in imitation of Jesus.

From then on, Augustine lived a new life! 

How amazing that God gives us this priceless gift!

We can just go to Him,

ask forgiveness and we too are new creations! 

We can begin anew! 

Joining the lovely Julia for a 

peek at desks and projects!

Linking up with
Encouraging Words Wednesday