Family Bible Study - 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 7:36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and took his
place at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the
Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she
began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed
them with the ointment. 39 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 sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a
sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “What is
it, Teacher?” 41 “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When
they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one,
I suppose, to whom he forgave more.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 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 wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in
she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with
ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven
little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began
to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has
saved you; go in peace.” 8:1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the
good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of
evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the
wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

Questions for discussion -

1. The roads were dusty and everyone wore sandals. Their feet got very
dirty! Washing someone’s dirty feet was a very kind thing to do. What do
you think the woman was telling Jesus by washing His feet with her tears and
drying them with her hair?

2. Jesus says that the one who has been forgiven more will love more. Do you
think you have been forgiven a lot by Jesus or a little? Does your love for
Him equal how much you’ve been forgiven?

3. At the end of the Gospel, Jesus and His apostles are surrounded
by women who took care of them. What do you think this shows about the
importance of women helping out Jesus and the apostles in the mission of
the Church?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry