Luke 7:36-50

          Men and women of the city

            36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house, and took his place at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of  woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." 40 And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "What is it, Teacher?" 41 "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet  my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

          I am always captivated by the number of people that Jesus associated with. The array is astounding, people that were considered unclean, enemies, Roman centurions, people he preached against, the woman at the well, lepers, people with demons, foreigners - you name it,  he was right in there mixing it up with the worst of them. If only we could hear his mother - a real, if not quintessential Jewish mom. Jesus ! be careful who you associate with! 

          Here Jesus is standing up for a prostitute.  How much more will he stand up for us?  At least as much to my way of thinking. 

           Now about this prostitute thing. You know , the church has vilified sex ever since Augustine had problems dealing with his own intense promiscuity and a bad conscience. Sex is not bad. Enjoying a gift that God gave us and designed us for is not bad. A mutual expression of love does not warrant condemnation. Random, reckless sex - that is a problem. It's dangerous in so many ways, but sex -sex is good. Consenting adults, respect, love, fun, it all sounds like a good mix. The church has gone to it's usual radical and fixated extreme in it's prohibitions and restrictions on sex - gay or straight.

            I have no doubts that Jesus would dine with each of us, see us for the beautiful creations we are and bless us. If we are not behaving in manner consistent with our morals and conscience, he still would dine with any of us. 

           Remember the last line, "Your faith has saved you, go in peace".