Jesus was invited to dine with a man named Simon. While at table, a poor
woman came in and poured sweet-smelling ointment over the feet of Jesus,
weeping so that she washed his feet with her tears. Simon did not like
this, for the woman was very wicked. He thought if Jesus were a prophet
he would know what sort of a woman this was, and would not allow her to
touch him. Jesus saw these thoughts in his heart, and told him he had
something to say to him. Then he told him this story: “There was once a
man who was owed by two men; one owed him five hundred pence, and the
other fifty. Both were poor, having nothing with which to pay their
debt. The good man knowing this, forgave them both. Tell me, which of
them will love him most?”
“Why,” said Simon, “I suppose the one who owed the most.”
“Yes,” said Jesus, “that is true. Simon, do you see this poor woman? You
gave me no water to wash my feet, but she has washed them with her tears,
and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she continues to
kiss my feet. You did not even anoint my head, but she has anointed my
feet. Now I tell you this: her sins which are many, are forgiven, for
she loves me very much. If people feel that they have but little to be
forgiven, they have but little love.” Then he spoke to the woman; he
said: “Your sins are forgiven.” Those who were sitting with him at table
began to say among themselves, “Why, who is this man who can forgive
sins?” Jesus spoke again to the woman; he said: “Thy faith hath saved
thee; go in peace.”
[Illustration: MARY MAGDALEN ANOINTING THE FEET OF JESUS.—Luke vii. 38.]