ACC ~ Luke 7 v39 - 40

THE WOMAN, NOT THE PHARISEE, WAS THE BELIEVER

AMBROSE: See the organization of the house. The sinful woman is glorified in the house of the Pharisee. The church is justified in the house of the law and the prophet, not the Pharisee. The Pharisee did not believe, but the woman believed. Then he said, “If he were a prophet, he would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that touches him.” Judea is the house of the law that is written not on stones but on the tablets of the heart. [1] The church is justified in this as already greater than the law, because the law does not know of the forgiveness of offences. The law does not possess the mystery in which secret sins are cleansed; therefore, what is lacking in the law is perfected in the gospel. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 6.23. [2]

[1] 2 Cor 3:3.

[2] EHG 200-201**.

SUBMISSIVE TO THE JUSTICE OF GOD

AUGUSTINE: She will not think that she has been forgiven little and so love little, and, ignorant of the justice of God and seeking to establish her own, not submit to the justice of God. [1] Simon was ensnared in this vice, and the woman, to whom many sins were forgiven because she loved much, surpassed him. She will more safely and more truly consider that all the sins that God preserved her from committing should be accounted as though they are forgiven. HOLY VIRGINITY 41. [2]

[1] :1–24:53 PRELIMINARY REMARKS | ON THE GOSPEL

[2] FC 27:195**.

IMPURE LIPS MADE HOLY BY KISSING JESUS’ FEET

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: Our Lord worked wonders with common things so that we would know the things those who scorn wonders are deprived of knowing. If such healing as this was snatched from his hem in secret, he was most certainly capable of the healing that his word worked in public. If impure lips became holy by kissing his feet, how much holier would pure lips become by kissing his mouth? With her kisses, the sinful woman received the favor of blessed feet that had worked to bring her the forgiveness of sins. She was graciously comforting with oil the feet of her Physician, who had graciously brought the treasury of healing to her suffering. The One who fills the hungry was not invited because of his stomach. The One who justifies sinners invited himself because of the sinful woman’s repentance. HOMILY ON OUR LORD 13-19. [1]

[1] FC 91:289**.