Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/543

 in, hath  not  ceased  to  kiss  My  feet. My head  with  oil  thou  didst not anoint; but  she  with  ointment  hath  anointed  My  feet. Wherefore, I say to  thee,  many  sins are  forgiven  her,  because  she  hath loved much. But to  whom  less  is  forgiven,  he  loveth  less.”

Then turning  to  Magdalen,  He  said: “Thy  sins  are  forgiven thee. Thy faith  hath  made  thee  safe. Go in  peace.”

The Divinity  of  our  Lord.  In  this  story  our  Lord  manifested  His Divinity in  several  ways. He showed  His  Omniscience  by  His  knowledge of  Simon’s  secret  thoughts,  and  of  the  loving  repentance  of  the poor sinner. He is  the  creditor  to  whom  all  sinners  owe  a debt, which none  of  us  are  able  to  pay,  and  from  which  we  can  only  beg Him to  release  us. He is  the  Holy  God  whom  our  sins  offend,  and He forgives  us  by  His  own  power,  which  only  God  can  do.

The Compassion  of  Jesus.  He  also  manifested  Himself  as  the  gentle and merciful  Redeemer  who  came  not  to  judge  but  to  save,  and  who does not  thrust  sinners  from  Him,  but  draws  them  to  Him  by  His grace, and  pardons  those  who  are  contrite. He did  not  reproach  the penitent woman;  He  defended  her  against  the  harsh  judgment  of  the Pharisee, praised  her  works  of  penance,  and  by  His  words  of  absolution poured balm  into  her  wounded  heart.