Luke 7:36-50
The author of the book Wings of Wisdom, Catherine Pulsifer, said:
“Faith is unseen but felt, faith is strength when we feel we have none, faith is hope when all seems lost.”
It was the voice of the sinful woman who approached Jesus with ointment. When faith was hidden, she expressed it through her actions. When she felt alone, faith became her strength. When she felt lost, faith gave her hope. When we look at our assigned passage, we can infer many things from this particular pericope, especially on the theme of faith. For example, the faith of Luke made him write the Gospel in a unique way. Likewise, the faith of Jesus and God’s faithfulness towards His creation, including the sinful woman. Instead of bringing everything, I would like to emphasize certain important understandings of faith from the sinful woman.
Faith is unseen.
Faith is unseen but experienced through our actions. The Bible doesn’t explain how the woman came inside the Pharisee’s house, but Pharisees avoided social interactions with those they deemed sinners, including tax collectors and people with immoral lifestyles. They believed that being with such individuals would make them ritually impure. They were quick to judge and condemn sinners rather than offering compassion or understanding. But her faith led her through the house to see Jesus. After she entered the house, she began to cry and bathe His feet with her tears and dry them with her hair. Her faith was experienced by Jesus through her actions. It was not only Jesus but also the people in the house who saw her faith through her actions.
Likewise, the author of this Gospel’s faith made him write a peculiar narrative of Jesus addressing commonality and sinful society. Faith is unseen but felt.
Today, our faith is similar to that of the sinful woman.
In India, a community has been outcasted, rejected, and marginalized not because of sin but because of their birth. The cruel society dominated people based on their birth. Today, Dalits have formulated their identity in a quest for faith. Dalit faith is reflected in their experiences. The theology of Dalits is rooted in their experiences. Faith is the first step towards liberation. Our faith in Jesus continuously encourages us to meditate upon His will in order to show it in our experiences. Even in our college and church, our faith pushes us to stand against injustice. Like the Wednesday Eucharist, we ponder upon different themes at different times based on our context.
Faith is Strength When We Have None
The woman’s strength and courage were built upon the faith that she had. Here we see the marvellous result of faith that gives trust and hope. Faith is a powerful force that can create both trust and hope. Faith often serves as the foundation for trust. When we have faith in someone or something, we believe in their reliability and integrity. This belief fosters trust, which is essential in relationships, whether with people, institutions, or even in a spiritual context. For example, in Genesis 15:6, Abraham’s faith in God led him to trust God’s promises, even when they seemed impossible. In the same way, the faith of the sinful woman made her trust and seek Jesus among her oppressors. She was not afraid of her situation, but her faith pushed her to enter the Pharisee’s house and to confront Jesus.
Faith and Hope
Faith also creates hope. It gives us the assurance that, despite current challenges, better things are ahead. The best example is us. We did not see Jesus, but our faith in God makes us witnesses to what we have not seen and gives us hope for the day of the Lord (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the strength when we have none. It reminds us that there is one person who is always there for us—Jesus. The sinful woman took her step boldly and bravely.
Faith is Hope When We Feel Lost
When the sinful woman lost her reputation and faced societal scorn, her faith was her only hope. Likewise, the faith of the Dalit community is deeply intertwined with their journey of hope and resilience. Historically marginalized and oppressed, Dalits have found profound inspiration and strength in their spiritual beliefs, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Dalit community continues to strive for dignity and equality. Their faith in Jesus Christ and the principles of love, compassion, and justice serve as a powerful foundation for their ongoing struggle for liberation.
Today, faith serves as a very powerful tool that creates life with trust and hope. “Faith is unseen but felt, faith is strength when we feel we have none, faith is hope when all seems lost.”
Faith, trust, and hope are deeply interconnected. Faith lays the groundwork for trust, and together, they cultivate hope. I would say faith in God, trust in Jesus, and hope in the Spirit (Comforter) are the trio that guides us spiritually, mentally, and physically.
So today, as we meditate upon this small pericope, let’s remind ourselves of the importance of faith that is rooted in our creation. This trio is comforting and empowering during our difficult times, offering a sense of peace and direction. May this day be blessed in the name of Christ.
Amen
