Reflection from Bradley ScottLuke 7.36-endJesus Anointed by a Sinful WomanWhen one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”“Tell me, teacher,” he said.“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (NIV)Reflectionin today’s passage from Gospel of Luke 7:36–50, we encounter a powerful moment of mercy, humility, and love. Jesus is dining at the house of Simon the Pharisee when a woman known publicly as a sinner enters the room. Without saying a word, she kneels at Jesus’ feet, weeping. She washes His feet with her tears, dries them with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with perfume. While others in the room judge her, Jesus sees her differently. He sees not simply her past, but her heart. Simon struggles to understand how Jesus could allow such a woman near Him. Yet Jesus gently reveals that the real issue is not the woman’s sin, but Simon’s lack of awareness of his own need for mercy. Through the parable of the two debtors, Jesus teaches that those who know they have been forgiven deeply are often those who love most deeply.This Gospel invites each of us to reflect honestly on how we approach the Lord. Do we come before Him like Simon, careful, guarded, perhaps quietly judging others? Or do we come like the woman, aware of our weakness, yet trusting completely in His mercy? The beauty of this passage is that Jesus never turns away the repentant heart. The woman comes carrying shame, yet she leaves carrying peace. Jesus says to her: “Your sins are forgiven… Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” What a gift those words are, not only for her, but for all of us. Sometimes we can feel held back by our past mistakes, failures, or regrets. This Gospel reminds us that God’s mercy is always greater. Jesus does not wait for perfection before welcoming us. He asks only that we come to Him honestly and with trust. May we never lose sight of our need for God’s grace. And may that grace make us more compassionate, less judgmental, and more ready to love others as Christ loves us. May the Lord give us hearts that recognise His mercy, and lives that respond with gratitude and love.Let us PrayLord Jesus, You welcomed the woman who came to You in sorrow and love, and You offered her mercy and peace. Help us to come before You with humble hearts, trusting not in ourselves, but in Your compassion. Free us from judgment, pride, and fear, and teach us to love as generously as You love us. May we always remember that Your mercy is greater than our sins, and may our lives reflect gratitude for all You have done for us.Amen Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000) (including the Psalter as published with Common Worship), material from which is included here, is copyright ©The Archbishops' Council 2000
Lent Wise Course by Paula GooderFive Weeks titled Compass, Nourishment, Light, Shelter and Water.
What’s on in TCMC Dates for your Christmas Diary5th December 5pm-7pm Candles on the Lake Kenwith Castle6th December 10am St Mary’s Coffee Morning-The Royal, Bude Street, Appledore3pm Community Carol Service St Margaret’s10th December to 3rd January Christmas Tree Festival St Margaret’savailable to view when the church is open12th December3pm Ignatian Contemplation Holy Trinity13th December10am Christingle Making St Mary’s2.30pm Christmas Quiz St Margaret’s14th December3pm Christingle Service St Mary’s3pm Christmas Carols with Appledore Band Holy Trinity3.30pm Messy Church Abbotsham Village Hall16th December2.30pm Vintage Christmas St Mary’s Church Hall17th December7pm Recital by Heart and Voice Ensemble St Margaret’s19th December3pm Ignatian Contemplation Holy Trinity21st December9.15am Family Church St Mary’s10am 9 Lessons and Carols St Margaret’s10.30am Morning Worship Holy Trinity10.30pm Morning Worship-9 Lessons and Carols St Helen’s10.30am Holy Communion-9 Lessons and Carols St Mary’s5.30pm Carols@Thirsty St Helen’s22nd December7pm Torchlight Service Appledore St Mary’sDecember 24th – Christmas Eve3pm Carol Service Holy Trinity3pm Crib Service St Mary’s4.30pm Crib Service St Margaret’s9.30pm Bethlehem Communion St Helen’s9.30pm Bethlehem Communion St Margaret’sDecember 25th – Christmas Day10am Christmas Day Service St Margaret’s10.30am Christmas Day Service Holy Trinity10.30am Christmas Day Service St Mary’sDecember 28th10.30am Team Service Holy Trinity
