Lenten Reflection 2, Forgiveness

“36 One of the Pharisees invited him to a meal; so he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table. 37 And there was then a sinful woman in the city, who, hearing that he was at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought a pot of ointment with her, 38 and took her place behind him at his feet, weeping; then she began washing his feet with her tears, and drying them with her hair, kissing his feet, and anointing them with the ointment. 39 His host, the Pharisee, saw it, and thought to himself, If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him, and what kind of woman, a sinner. 40 But Jesus answered him thus, Simon, I have a word for thy hearing. Tell it me, Master, he said. 41 There was a creditor who had two debtors; one owed him five hundred pieces of silver, the other fifty; 42 they had no means of paying him, and he gave them both their discharge. And now tell me, which of them loves him the more? 43 I suppose, Simon answered, that it is the one who had the greater debt discharged. And he said, Thou hast judged rightly. 44 Then he turned towards the woman, and said to Simon, Dost thou see this woman? I came into thy house, and thou gavest me no water for my feet; she has washed my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss of greeting; she has never ceased to kiss my feet since I entered; 46 thou didst not pour oil on my head; she has anointed my feet, and with ointment. 47 And so, I tell thee, if great sins have been forgiven her, she has also greatly loved.[4] He loves little, who has little forgiven him. 48 Then he said to her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And his fellow guests thereupon thought to themselves, Who is this, that he even forgives sins? 50 But he told the woman, Thy faith has saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36-50)

This moving passage makes me think about:

1. Jesus wants to forgive me, but I need to know I need forgiveness.
2. I need to ask for forgiveness with a contrite heart.
3. Perhaps it’s easier to recognize and be sorrowful for large sins than small ones.
4. I need to thoroughly examine my conscience daily to catch those smaller sins.
5. Am I more like Simon or the woman? Will Simon be saved?
6. Do I take forgiveness for granted: Do I expect forgiveness without bothering to regret it and repent of it?