Pride and Remorse!

Thursday, September 18, 2025

1 Tim 4:12-16; Lk 7:36-50

Today’s Gospel highlights the difference between pride and remorse. 

While the sinful woman’s behaviour reveals her sincere remorse, Simon’s negligence discloses his self-righteous pride.

It is interesting to see how both characters play out in the presence of Jesus, who comes out with a profound message of forgiveness. 

Simon, the Pharisee who invited Jesus to his house, is troubled at heart regarding his guest. His words, ‘If this man were a prophet…’ only reveal his self-righteous attitude. As Jesus himself exposes later, why was Simon negligent in his hospitality toward his guest? Probably Simon thought he was more righteous than others and was convinced he did not have to treat Jesus in the same way and manner that others did. Probably he considered himself equal to Jesus in righteousness too. Anyhow, his hospitality was cold in that he offered Jesus no water, kiss, or oil. The very fact that Simon did not feel obliged to honor Jesus reveals that he considered himself more virtuous and therefore did not feel the need to be forgiven by Jesus for anything, unlike the sinful woman. His self-talk must have been, ‘Why should I behave like the sinful woman when I am worthy like him?’

However, the woman, who we know as ‘sinful,’ is genuine in her remorse that she invites herself to where Jesus is and begins to manifest her compunctious heart. She does not hesitate to spend the alabaster flask of ointment on Jesus because she regards Jesus higher than the costly oil. She then weeps, kneels, anoints Jesus’ feet with the costly perfume, and dries them with her hair. The meticulous description demonstrates her faith and devotion to Jesus, though not a word is spoken. Instead, she lets her actions speak louder than what her words would probably have meant. The woman was in effect saying, ‘Lord, forgive me because I am unworthy.’ Thus, though she comes in shame, she leaves in peace after making a manifestation of her repentant heart and receiving forgiveness from Jesus himself. 

Who are we like between Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman? Are we aware of our human limitations, or do we resist the outpouring of God’s grace through our pride?

Sincere repentance meets with absolute forgiveness. 

Let us pray that we may have the humility to seek God’s grace to grow in Christian virtues. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar