Church of the
Annunciation

Girls and boys in our school were excited in the spring waiting for and then watching chicks emerge from eggs in an incubator. They named a rooster chick “Gene.” The question for us is what comes first -- the chicken or the egg? I apply and modify that question to our Gospel. What comes first -- the unnamed woman unashamedly shedding tears, washing, drying with her hair, kissing and anointing the feet of Jesus, and in response, Jesus publicly forgiving her? Listening attentively to the text in the Gospel according to St. Luke, especially Jesus’ words to Simon, an upright Pharisee, we can infer that the woman was already forgiven and her profound expression of regret and kindness was in response to the gracious gift of God’s mercy that she has received from Jesus. When persons in confession wonder out loud if God can forgive them, I surprise them with the words: “God has already forgiven you but you are unaware.” God is mercy itself. Jesus forgives. Forgiveness on the deepest level is not earned by a confession or an act contrition. Forgiveness is God’s gracious gift. Key for us is the faith to believe it and receive it. Jesus refers to chickens in the Gospel. He prays that the People of God will be gathered together like a hen gathering her chicks! Jesus cautions Peter that before he denies knowing him a cock will grow. Peter hears the rooster and weeps – both for his sin of denial and cowardice but also knowing that one he denied has already forgiven him! We too should shed tears of regret for our sins and for the precious, undeserved gift of God’s mercy that we have received in faith and are called to share in Jesus Christ.