Each of the four Gospels has an account of Jesus being anointed . These are all done by a woman. Each have different circumstances with different outcomes.
Does the truth in one account's story lead us to doubt the truth of the others? Today's Gospel account is Luke's. Simon, a Pharisee. hosts a dinner for Jesus. His actions there are compared with another attendee, a woman in the city who is "a known sinner".
Jesus teaches Simon through a parable that the one to whom little is forgiven loves little. And we are so locked into our everyday transactional exchanges of life it is easy to compare and conclude that Jesus is advocating "bigger sins" will lead humankind to bigger forgiveness and, ultimately, to a larger love of God. Jesus, in truth, is calling for recognition of a need for forgiveness to fully embrace God's love and extend it to others.
The woman "sinner" actually shows her deep faith and humility, displaying profound respect and love in what she does. Jesus, wanting to teach Simon about devotion and respect, compares his actions to the woman's. on foot washing, a greeting kiss, and anointing Jesus with oil. Instead Simon subtly, and with cold formality, has distanced himself from Jesus and from his obligations as a host.
Rather than focusing on Jesus' forgiveness for the woman Pastor Emillie's sermon was all about the worship going on in the passage. This passionate worship on exhibit is also partially hidden. This passage is not told from the worshiping woman's perspective. Instead the narration is from Simon's eyes, and the lessons are taught, through him, by Jesus.
He clearly is not perceiving what the woman is doing. From Simon's attitude it is implied that she is an uninvited attendee . She is too broken in Simon's judgment to belong there. Yet she is present and the worship she displays is intimate, personal and emotional.
Pastor Emillie recounted different worships she has experienced, from Congolese dancing and moving through their space with chairs on their heads to the Catholic chanting surrounded by incense and, at times, praying using the rosary. How Christians worship is diverse and shaped by the individuals who are gathered together.
At Creator the congregation formally worships Sunday mornings. Arguably we meet for worship on Wednesday afternoons as well for a Bible Study What the upcoming narrative lectionary Gospel means to us is shared and we marvel at the understanding that is revealed rather than debating if any interpretation is more "right". When Pastor Emillie preaches her Sunday sermon it is always a thought-provoking different perspective from the Wednesday discussion.
And it is apparent how our faith saves us; and we go in peace both Wednesdays and Sundays.
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