Warning The Cities
Then Jesus began to reproach the cities in which his many feats of power had taken place because they did not change their hearts: “Alas for you, Chorazin; Alas for you, Bethsaida; because, if the feats of power that have occurred in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have changed their hearts, in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, were you not exalted as far as heaven? You shall descend as far as Hades; if the feats of power in you had occurred in Sodom, it would have endured to this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:20-24)
At that time, Jesus spoke out and said, “I give you fullest thanks, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you hid these things from the wise and sagacious and revealed them to infants; yes, Father, because such was pleasing before you. All things were delivered to me by me, Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Neither does anyone know the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. Come to me, all who toil and are burdened, and I shall give you rest. Take my yoke upon yourselves and learn from me because I am gentle and accommodating in heart, and you will find rest for your souls [Jeremiah 6:16]; for my yoke is mild and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:25-30)
Pharisee’s Dinner
Now, a certain one of the Pharisees requested that he dine with him, and when entering the Pharisee’s house, he reclined at the table. And look: There was a woman in the city who was a sinner, and knowing that Jesus was reclining in the home of the Pharisee, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume and standing behind, weeping at his feet, she began to make her feet wet with her tears and whipped them off with the hair of her head, and fervently kissed his feet and anointed them with the perfume.” But seeing this, the Pharisee who had invited him talked to himself, saying, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and of what sort of woman who touches him is, for she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:36-39)
In reply, Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” Simon replied, “Speak, teacher.” So Jesus continued, ”There were two men indebted to a certain moneylender: One owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty. As they had nothing with which to repay, the moneylender graciously forgave them both. Which of them, therefore, will love him more?” In reply, Simon said: “I suppose, the one to whom he freely gave more.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged correctly.” (Luke 7:40-43)
Turning now to the woman, Jesus said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your home; you did not give me water for my feet, but she soaked my feet with her tears and wiped them off with her hair. You have me no kiss of friendship, but from the time she entered, she has not ceased fervently kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with perfume. But the virtue of which, I tell you, her sins – which are many – have been forgiven because she loved much; but one to whom little is forgiven loves little.” Jesus then said to the woman, “Your sins have been forgiven.” And all those reclining at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7: 44-50)
