"Are Forgiven"

3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Proper 6

Lectionary 11

Luke 7:36-8:3

"are forgiven"

"One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and took his place at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "What is it, Teacher?" "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means." Luke 7:36-8:3, RSV.

Grace and Peace to you from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus who is the Christ. Amen

The following is an adaptation from the Augsburg Sermon Series of a sermon given by Vernon Schreiber.

"At the beginning of this service, we began with the invocation, saying, "We begin In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit." Through this act we called upon the name of Christ for his presence to be with us this morning, because he said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I shall be also." Christ has been with us through our confession, the absolution, the hymns of praise and now as we settle back to hear his word proclaimed in this sermon. But don’t get too comfortable because His word can challenge you, can confront you, can upset you as well as comfort you, console you and bring you peace.

I would like you to imagine Christ is present here please focus on the top step of the chancel, focus with all your psychic energy, focus there and imagine that you begin to see the form of a man, a man in dazzling white, a man who becomes clearer with each passing second. The image remains clouded, but there you can see an image of Christ. Christ is truly present with us this morning.

As you focus on that image, I would like to tell you that something very peculiar is taking place in the back of the church, don’t turn around, focus on Christ, a lady is entering the church. She is wearing rags, she is slipping in as quietly as possible so no one will notice. Her appearance tells us she is poor, she walks with a cane and is visibly tired after climbing the stairs. She shakes as she sits. Her clothing wreaks of dirt and grime. She is from as we would say the wrong side of the tracks.

Continue to focus on Christ standing at the top of the chancel steps. The woman looks to the front and sees image of Christ. She sees Christ as she does rises from her seat and begins a slow walk to the front.

You want to stay focused on Christ, but you cannot, you turn you look you see this woman approach Christ. You gasp. You wonder how she could dare approach him in such rags, with such a miserable life.