Recent Mass readings (both Sunday and daily) are relentlessly addressing forgiveness. Today’s reading includes the juxtaposition of a parable and an event in the life of Jesus to show the importance and the value of forgiveness – especially the forgiveness of the gravest offenses.

The Pharisee in today’s reading was scandalized that Jesus allowed a notorious sinner to follow Him into the Pharisee’s home. He didn’t see a guest or someone whom Jesus Himself implicitly invited. He didn’t’ see a fellow-member of God’s chosen people, or someone who was in need of help. He didn’t see his own sin either – only hers.

Many of the best achievements of the Protestants have been in vernacular hymnody. One of the better lines is: “Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me.” The line readily transforms to “Chief of sinners though I be, there are still some worse than me.” Too often our attitudes make that transformation, regardless of what we say. We become like the merciless servant in this past Sunday’s reading, or the Pharisee in today’s reading, when all of us are in need, even if the degree of need we perceive for the forgiveness of any given person may vary.

The woman in today’s reading showed admirable contrition. It’s worth remembering that Jesus, while He walked among us, did most of that walking in sandals in a hot climate with rather few paved roads. The feet she tenderly washed with her tears, dried with her hair and kissed would have been calloused, sweaty and dirty. She didn’t just say she was sorry, she showed in a concrete way that she understood the magnitude of what Jesus offered. May I do the same.