In Luke 7:36–50, a sex worker hears that Jesus will be attending a party hosted by Simon the Pharisee. She crashes the dinner party. When she sees that Simon, the host, fails to wash Jesus’ feet, she kneels down, washes the dirt off with her tears and hair, and anoints his feet with oil. Simon, scandalized, takes Jesus’ acceptance of the woman as proof that he is a false prophet. Jesus, meanwhile, praises the woman for her great love. In this story, we witness the mutuality between Jesus and this woman. They see each other’s true identity and offer dignity to one another within the hostile and judgmental dynamics of the party.

Right now, we live in a world that strips people of their dignity. People are “othered” for having the wrong skin color, the wrong residency status, the wrong history, the wrong tattoos, the wrong clothes. People who have a past police record, who struggle with addictions, or who break rules around gender and sexual orientation are exiled. Meanwhile, love crosses the threshold to remind them of their worth.

A love that combines love of God with love of neighbor removes shame, restores dignity, and offers a counter-narrative around identity and worth. Seen through the eyes of one another, Jesus and this woman both experience their true identity and worth, right there in that room of judgment. This passage tells us something good. We can sink our roots into it and find nourishment, because in this passage, love is the good news.

Blessings,

Anne