” …Her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little…”
The word “sin” is not popular these days. If used, it is usually softened with an indulgent smile or gentle self-mockery. “I have my little sins..” We try to make light of it, too. “Is it a sin, really?” We live in times of great confusion when serious sins are often presented as “normal behavior” and (objectively) small misdeeds are stigmatized as acts of utter degradation.
Even 30-40 years ago premarital cohabitation of two young individuals of opposite sex was not socially accepted. Parents and friends of such a couple would remonstrate with them and quite a few stern words would be said in the process. There would be some degree of social ostracism involved as well – enough to let the culprits know that they have crossed the line, that they are “in the red”, that they should either separate or marry. Those messages were of mixed nature: a bit of cold shoulder, fewer invitations to various family events, a few “serious talks”, and always an offer of help.
Over the past century things have drastically changed. I have quite a few friends whose grown children have lived in common-law unions for quite a few years now and even have children. Not a hoot about tying the knot. “Oh, how I wish they would marry. Both had been baptised Catholic and used to go to church” I hear. “Why don’t you talk to them about it?” I venture. “How can I? It is their private matter, and they are adults”. Oh, yes, you can, my friend. Even more, you must. These young people are in danger of losing their eternal life and the fact that they are professionals, nice and well spoken, that they volunteer in various organizations does not change much in that respect. They have not married, so they do not baptise their children – the whole young family is adrift away from Christ.
We do not sin alone. We sin surrounded by loving family and good friends. How many times are we reminded by all the good people around us that smoking kills – if we smoke, or that eating too much leads to morbid obesity – if we eat too much? How often the concerned family members tell us to remember to recycle – if we throw a plastic bottle into a general garbage can?
Yet none of these well-meaning people will tell remind us to go to Mass on Sunday, to go to confession or to break a sinful relation. We have been brainwashed to believe that we are not our “brother’s keepers”
Healthy and slim, full of concern for Mother Earth we merrily jog to Hell.
The “sinful woman” who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and kissed them with such great love that “her great sins have been forgiven” would never even considered seeking Jesus out and beg His mercy if she had not known her sins to be an offence to God. Had she lived in Sodom and Gomorrah, she would have considered her behavior as normal – and she would have perished with these cities.
In many ways, even if snubbed by Pharisees – she was in a better situation than many of us. “Her sins stood before her eyes” and thus, when Jesus came to her with His love and forgiveness, she was able to notice how much she needed Him.