How mediocre has your walk with Jesus been?

Have you been too busy to pray?

Have you spoken badly about your neighbor, employees, or children? Are you feeling a bit shameful about it? Or are you feeling guilty because you’ve been a bad parent, watched something you shouldn’t have watched, said something you shouldn’t have said, and done some things you really don’t want anybody else to know about?

That’s what society calls a ‘sinner.’ We feel shame, embarrassment, humiliation and we beat ourselves up because we’re Christians and we should know and do better.

Which is what Jesus addresses in this Sunday’s Gospel.

We join Jesus as he has dinner at another rabbi’s house. But instead of commending the rabbi for his stellar religious observance, Jesus commends the person who was at the opposite extreme. Jesus lifts up a woman branded as a sinner, who can only cry and wash his feet with her tears. She commends to us a notion that just may bring you new life today:

Perfect fidelity has never been a requirement of following Jesus.

What are you beating yourself up about right now? Your laziness? Your busyness? Your anger?

Sure, we can rationalize and distance ourselves from our own messes. Or we can be like that unknown woman, that sinner, who simply fell at Jesus’ feet – in worship, compassion, and humility. Jesus isn’t impressed with all the good deeds you brought to church today. Jesus isn’t in awe of the great ways you’ve managed to keep the train on the tracks. Jesus is in awe when we agree to be ourselves. And we say we’re sorry. Admit to the truth. And cling to Him to take it from here.

How might we do that today? Forgive yourself. Our expectations should not be higher than God’s

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Reading

Switch – Heath Brothers

Damn Few – Rorke Denver