Forgiveness

It's lovely to read how tenderly Jesus treated both men and women. Our book Stories of Healing: Jesus and his followers points out that "Jesus treated women in a different way than most men did" (p. 278) -- that is, with respect, compassion, fairness, and inclusion. 

A great example is Jesus' treatment of the woman who turned up at the Pharisee Simon's dinner party (see pp. 50-55). While Simon had already pinned a label of "sinner" on this woman, Jesus saw that her loving and respectful actions towards him signified her repentance. On the other hand, Simon's blindness to his own faults was met with insight and firmness by Jesus' parable of the two borrowers who were both unable to repay their loans but were nevertheless forgiven. Readers of Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy will recall that Chapter 12, Christian Science Practice, begins with an analysis of this story (pp. 362-364). 

The dark red pages about Customs (at the back of Stories of Healing) include some helpful information about Guests. For example, it was the custom for the host to wash the guest's feet, to greet them with a kiss, and to pour olive oil on the guest's head (see pp. 267-8). How lovely to be greeted in this way. Perhaps some of our readers have been in a country where this custom still applies.

Here's a poem I found in the Christian Science Sentinel, June 30, 1986.

Worship

... to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. (Luke 7:47)

Simon or "sinner"?
Tiptoe, self-centered homage

Or repentant, deep affection?

KATHERINE ANNE LYDER STOFFEL

It's interesting that Merriam-Webster includes "a resolve to change" in its definition of repentance.

Julie Swannell