May 20

Luke vii. 36. And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37. And behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster-box of ointment. 38. And stood at his feet behind him, weeping; and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head; and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39. Now, when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner. 40. And Jesus, answering, said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41. There was a certain creditor, which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42. And, when they had nothing to pay, he

"A sinner;" i.e., a notorious sinner; one who had led a life of open immorality. Her heart had been touched by the preaching of Jesus; and, as his disciples and others followed him into the house, she probably slipped in with the company unnoticed. According to custom, Jesus would recline at the table on a couch, with his feet behind him. Hence the woman could have anointed his feet without interrupting the meal, or in any way interfering with Jesus or with other guests; though her weeping must have attracted their attention. In the view of the Pharisee, the touch of such a person was a ceremonial defilement; but, as he was mentally judging his guest to be lacking in the spiritual insight of a prophet, Jesus poured upon his heart the searching light of omniscience,

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

May thy good Spirit, O Lord! we pray thee, write in our hearts the things that we have heard out of thy Holy Scriptures, that we may this day walk according to thy word, doing thy will, and showing forth thy praise! We confess our sin and folly, our carnal desires, our worldly spirit; and we entreat thee for Christ's sake to forgive the errors and iniquities of our past lives, and henceforth to lead us in the way everlasting. Thou hast not dealt with us according to our sins, but hast been patient and long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and mercy. Oh, may thy great love toward us in Christ our Saviour bind us to thee in grateful and loving devotion! May we ever be ready to testify for Christ, and to consecrate to him the best that we have! May we love supremely the things that thou lovest; love and practise whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report; love the Church of our Lord Jesus

frankly forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him most? 43. Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house; thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45. Thou gavest me no kiss; but this woman, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46. Mine head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50. And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee: go in peace.

and revealed his inmost thoughts. This outcast woman had come as a penitent; and, as such, Christ had pardon, grace, and encouragement for her. She showed the sincerity of her repentance by the humble, earnest, self-sacrificing spirit of her trust and devotion. She bought an offering costly and fragrant; she kissed his feet in token of reverence; and her tears flowed so fast, that she must needs wipe them with her hair. Absorbed in what she was doing, she took no thought of those around her, and did not heed their cavils.

The incident is for our example and our encouragement. The chief of sinners may come to Christ, and welcome. For penitence his pardon is ever ready; for the love of a grateful devotion he has a love that takes away sin, and gives his own peace.

Prayer.

[Nos. 59, 117.

Christ, which he hath redeemed with his own precious blood; love our fellow-men, and do them good as thou givest us opportunity; have compassion upon the sinful and the erring; in all things living, not to ourselves, but to Him who loved us, and died for us, and rose again! And do thou, O Lord! hasten the blessed day when thy kingdom shall come, and thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

With thanksgivings for the mercies of the past night and of the opening day, for shelter and repose, for food and raiment, for health and home; with supplications for thy favor and guidance in all that is before us, and for the blessings of thy providence and grace upon all dear to us, — we ask and offer all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; for whom we ever bless thee; to whom, with thee, O Father! and the Holy Ghost, be praise and glory evermore. Amen.