Today’s Gospel was about the sinful woman who washed Our Lord’s feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. At first, I did not understand why Jesus seemed more pleased with her than with the Pharisee who had invited Him.
Later, Sister and I carried a little picnic down to the bank of Indian Creek, just in front of the cave. Mini bounced along, her short legs busy in the grass, and I carried the basket. Inside were sandwiches with thick slices of ham, a jar of pickles, hard-boiled eggs from our hens, and an apple pie Sister baked early this morning. Sister even tucked in a red-checked cloth to spread on the ground, just like the ones you see in old farm magazines.
We sat close to the water, where the creek bubbled over the rocks and made a soft sound, and Mini lay nearby waiting for a crumb or two. As we ate, Sister explained the Gospel. She said that the Pharisee did all the right things on the outside—inviting Jesus, setting the table—but his heart was not filled with love. The woman, though a sinner, showed her sorrow and her love so deeply that Jesus forgave her. “Love makes the difference, Kathy,” Sister said, “for when you know how much you’ve been forgiven, you can’t help but love even more.”
I thought about that as I broke a piece of pie crust and gave it to Mini. She wagged her bottom so hard it looked like she might tip over. It made me wonder if even little kindnesses, when given with love, are pleasing to Jesus.
The afternoon drifted away gently, with the sound of leaves in the breeze and the scent of apples and creek water mixed together. I felt as though Our Lord was smiling at our little picnic.
Evening Prayer:
O dear Jesus, help me to always show You my love, not only in words, but in the small things I do each day. Forgive me when I fall, and teach me to forgive others. May my heart always stay soft and full of gratitude, like the woman who kissed Your feet. Amen.
Love,
Kathy
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