Ninth Sunday of Winter

“Maria Magdalene washing the feet of Christ” by Jacob Andries Beschey, c. 1726-1786.

​A Pharisee had invited Ieshu for lunch. While he was at table, a woman of the city, who lived in sin, brought an alabaster vase full of perfume, and standing behind him at his feet, she began to sprinkle them with her tears and wiped them with her hair, and she kissed them and anointed them with perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself: if this man were a prophet, he would know who she is who is touching him, and that she is a courtesan. Then Ieshu said to him: Simon, I have something to tell you. He answered: yes, Master. A creditor had two debtors, one owed him five hundred denarii and the other fifty. Not having enough to pay their debt, he handed it over to them both. Which one will love him more? Simon answered: the one I think he gave it to most. Ieshu said to him: you have judged well. Pointing to the woman, he said to Simon: "Do you see this woman? I came into your house and you gave me no water to wash my feet, but she sprinkled them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn't give me a kiss, but she hasn't stopped kissing my feet since she came in. You did not pour perfume on my head, but she poured perfume on my feet. That's why I tell you: many sins are forgiven her because she loved so much. But he who is forgiven less, loves less. He said to the woman: your sins are forgiven you, your love has saved you, go in peace. Then Ieshu went off to tell the good news, followed by his disciples and some women whom they had healed of their infirmities and evil spirits. They were: Miriam, called Magdeleine, from whom seven demons came out, Iohanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's procurator, Suzanne and many others who assisted him with their goods.