Jesus and some of His disciples come to a village as itinerant teachers, telling those able to listen about God’s kingdom and the importance of changing their priorities. Jesus would have reassured them that God’s forgiveness was offered and was theirs to accept.

Bowing to the demands of traditional hospitality, a Pharisee asks Jesus to share a meal. It is clear that he does so begrudgingly; he fails in his duty to wash the ‘traveler’s’ feet, greet and anoint him. He also challenges Jesus’ status by criticizing his lack of discernment of character, because a woman – a known sinner – washes and anoints his feet.

Jesus uses the occasion to show us our lack of appreciation of the forgiveness we continuously receive from God. The woman did not wash Jesus’ feet to gain forgiveness; she washed His feet out of love and gratitude for the forgiveness already obtained. Loving service flowed from what she received.

If we truly realise how much we have been forgiven, would we let anything stand in the way of our own gratitude – gratitude that shows itself as loving service?