6 November 2026 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Syro-Malabar Rite · Latin Rite · മലയാളം
“Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love.” Luke 7:47
Paul tells Timothy what to say to the rich: not to be haughty, not to hope in uncertain riches but in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment; to be rich in good works, generous and ready to share. Money is a good servant and a cruel master. Shared, it becomes “a good foundation for the future”.
At Simon's table a woman known as a sinner bathes Jesus' feet with her tears, dries them with her hair and anoints them. Simon sees only her past; Jesus sees her love. The one who is forgiven much loves much. On Friday, the day of the Cross, we stand with her at his feet: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Theme: “She has shown great love.”
True riches and the tears of the forgiven.
“if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” Psalm 62:10
“As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17
Apply: Give something today to a person in need.
“The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
“She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair.” Luke 7:38
Apply: Spend five minutes before a crucifix.
“Come now, let us argue it out, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow;” Isaiah 1:18
“And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”” Luke 7:50
Apply: Make a good confession soon.
God sees love where others see sin.
Let mercy make us generous.
Take-home resolution: Make one act of generosity every Friday.
Dear friends, Paul tells Timothy what to say to the rich: not to be haughty, not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment; to do good, to be rich in good works, generous and ready to share (1 Timothy 6:17–18).
In the Gospel, at a Pharisee's house, a sinful woman washes Jesus' feet with her tears, dries them with her hair and anoints them with ointment. Jesus says: her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love (Luke 7:47). Her true treasure was her broken heart.
Those who are forgiven much love much. Today is the First Friday; this week experience the joy of forgiveness in a good confession, and let that love flow out in a generous gift. Amen.
Children, the woman cried and loved Jesus, and Jesus forgave her. Tonight tell Jesus: sorry, and I love you.
Merciful Lord, you received the tears of the sinful woman and forgave her much. Free me from trust in riches, make me rich in good works, and let my love grow from your forgiveness. Amen.
Today's readings set two kinds of wealth side by side. Paul tells Timothy to warn the rich not to trust in uncertain riches but to be “rich in good works”. In the Gospel, a woman known as a sinner pours out costly ointment and tears on the feet of Jesus, and is called rich in love. The true treasure is a heart that has received much and gives much.
Setting.
1 Timothy is one of the three Pastoral Letters, addressed to Timothy, Paul's companion, who was caring for the church at Ephesus. Earlier in this chapter the letter warns that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (6:10). Now, near the end, it turns to those in the community who are already rich, and does not condemn them but gives them a task.
Structure.
Key words.
Verse by verse.
“As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (6:17)
Notice the last words: God gives us things “for our enjoyment”. The letter does not despise created goods; it puts them in their place.
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share,” (6:18)
“so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.” (6:19)
How the Church reads it.
The Catechism teaches that the owner of goods is a steward of Providence, who should make them bear fruit and share the benefits with others, first of all his family (CCC 2404). It quotes St John Chrysostom: “Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life” (CCC 2446).
Setting.
This scene is found only in Luke. Jesus has just been called “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (7:34), and now we see what that means. A Pharisee named Simon invites him to a meal. Luke shows Jesus at table with Pharisees several times (11:37; 14:1), and the meal becomes a lesson for the host.
Structure.
Key words.
Verse by verse.
“She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair.” (7:38)
Guests reclined on low couches with their feet stretched out behind them, so she could reach his feet without coming to the table. Every gesture is a gesture of love: tears, hair, kisses, ointment.
“Do you see this woman?” (7:44)
Simon has seen only “a sinner” (v. 39). Jesus asks him to see a person.
“Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” (7:47)
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (7:50)
The same words Jesus speaks to the woman healed of bleeding (8:48). Faith receives; peace is the gift.
How the Church reads it.
The Catechism teaches that only God forgives sins, and that Jesus, as Son of God, exercises this divine power and gives it to his Church (CCC 1441–1442). The guests' question, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (v. 49), is the right question. Pope St Gregory the Great, preaching on this Gospel, saw in the woman's tears the model of a penitent who turns all that once served sin into the service of God (in substance).
Was this woman Mary Magdalene?
Luke does not say so. He introduces Mary Magdalene separately in the next chapter (8:2). In the West, from the time of St Gregory the Great, the two were often identified; the Eastern tradition has generally kept them distinct. The Church does not require either view; the Gospel's point is her love and her forgiveness.