“Both/And“, by Rev. Angela Martin
Sometimes our lives, our actions and our attitudes are like both Simon and the woman. We have a both/and relationship with ourselves where this battle between good and bad is going on within us each and every day. To use a popular terms, “The struggle is real.” The good news is that our relationship with God is a both/and relationship. And because of that we are able to receive both God’s love and forgiveness. We don’t have to be stuck in behaviors and sins that are unbecoming to those of us who call ourselves disciples. When we choose God’s love and forgiveness we are empowered to change the paradigm for our lives and better take part in God’s Kingdom.
~Angela
Leap of Faith Weekly Prayer
Summer Prayer 1
Father and Creator of all things, we thank you for the warmth of the summer sun and for the increased daylight. We thank you for how the light gives life to Your world and how it makes possible the growth of plants and animals that feed the world. Thank you for the beauty of the world around us. Help me to become more thankful for everything you provide every time I enjoy being outside in Your creation. And as I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and thirst for You. Amen.
The Word
Luke 7:36-8:3
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 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 kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 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 bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 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.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
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