Breaking the Word

 A Pharisee invited him to dine with him,…

"Simon, I have something to say to you." "Tell me, teacher," he said…

 When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The others at table said to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" But he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Lk 7:36-50)

A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him. Jesus went as a quest to the house of a Pharisee. The Pharisee played the host. As a host the Pharisee had to provide water to wash the feet as the quest entered the house and then he had to welcome him with kisses and anoint his head with oil etc. The Pharisee had not done any of these.

A woman came into the house of the Pharisee and she was not a member of the house and in fact she was a sinner. But she played the role of a host to Jesus. She received him with kisses and wiped his feet with tears and anointed his head. She was hospitable.

Hospitality of this woman revealed her faith. Hospitality won forgiveness from her sins. Forgiveness is the reward for hospitality. Theological and religious terms like ‘faith’ and ‘forgiveness’ are made simple and practical. A social quality like ‘hospitality’ could be seen as a theological and religious virtue when it is done with love for the person. 

 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (Jn 19:25-27)

Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother Mary. It is standing by someone who is in suffering. Jesus was doing this very same act while he was with the people. He had taken an option for the poor and suffering. He did not take sides with the people who were right. People who were morally right were not his target group. Instead he stood by the people who were suffering. This very same act was done by his mother Mary when Jesus was in suffering (cross).

Being with someone who is in suffering, builds up relationship. Mary was standing by the cross of Jesus so also was John. Mary and John were sharing the same suffering. Could we say that because they were sharing the suffering of Jesus (standing by the cross) they get related.  

Sharing of common suffering brings people together. It is not just coming together of people. When Jesus is involved it is sharing of relationship. Jesus had said earlier: No man has greater love than to lay down his life for his friend. Yes, friendship, relationship etc. Are built when people are faced with problems, difficulties and suffering.