Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 17,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   Luke 7:36-50

One of the Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house and sat down to eat. Behold, a sinful woman in the city who knew that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee brought an alabaster box of ointment and stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to wash his feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. She kissed them and anointed them with the ointment.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Say it, Master,” he said. “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred pence and the other owed fifty. Since they had nothing to pay their debt, he forgave it for both. Tell me, therefore, which one of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “I suppose that he to whom he forgave the most.”  He said to him, “You have judged rightly.

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair of her head. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman has not ceased kissing my feet since I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but this woman anointed my feet with ointment. So, I tell you, her many sins are forgiven for she loved much. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

MEDITATIO - Meditate on text, allow the LORD to touch us with His Word:

Do I fully comprehend the value of the LORD’s mercy toward me? Does it show in my love for others?

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT:

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus teaches us of the rightful connection between divine mercy received for a penitent soul and the grateful response expressed in authentic love. We should also take note of Simon’s arrogant righteousness in light of the woman’s humility and Jesus’ forgiveness.

ORATIO – Lifting our minds and hearts to the LORD in prayer:

Lord, Jesus, Son of God, Savior, I come to You as I am, bringing my brokenness and regret for my sins. I beg You to look upon me as You did the woman with the alabaster jar of ointment, with pure love. Grant that I may feel the fullness of your compassion and mercy and receive the gift of your love that will lead me to walk in peace and follow You more closely.  May I live as one aware of the loving mercy I have received, with gratitude and adoration. Amen.

CONTEMPLATIO – Sitting with the LORD in silence for a minute or more