This blog provides a meditation on the Episcopal daily readings along with a headline from world news:

US TORNADO STRIKES CITY

People were as nothing

Colossians 4.7-4:18

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow-servant in the Lord. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts; 9he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. 11And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. 13For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. 17And say to Archippus, ‘See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.’

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

people matter now!

Doubtless very few of those names here realised that they were pioneering a profound and lasting transformation of humanity. Their names, nevertheless, are here because Paul knew that Christian transformation is always a matter of persons. Vast transformations which ignore persons are either natural or evil. Paul’s theology suggests that the coming of Jew and gentile together in Christ is world-shaking but he sees this as happening through specific people and communities who willingly trust the transformation and give themselves to it. Church communities which are too large to value individual persons are dangerous in that they mat come to rely on power and propaganda rather than service and gospel.

Luke 7:36-50

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39Now 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 kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.’ 40Jesus spoke up and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Teacher,’ he replied, ‘speak.’ 41‘A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’ 43Simon answered, ‘I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ 44Then turning towards 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 bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ 48Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ 49But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ 50And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

in a savage world, dignity is precious

This is one of the greatest gospel stories. We are to assume that the woman had already talked with Jesus and came to give thanks for forgiveness. The jar becomes a symbol of the well-protected goodness of her heart which breaks open to pour out her gratitude. Jesus exhibits here what the bible calls “saving justice.” He does not simply forgive he does justice, most delicately to the woman and the Pharisee: “You gave me no water….but she….etc” Each point of the Pharisee’s inhospitable behaviour is balanced by the loving gestures of the woman. We should interpret the parable as suggesting that the size of the debt is in the estimation of the debtor: the Pharisee, Jesus implies, thinks his is small; whereas the woman thinks hers is great. Her gratitude shows she understands the greatness of God’s love.