Desert Reflections: Snakebite

Ouroboros drawing from a late medieval Byzantine Greek alchemical manuscript, 1478 [Public domain]
Simon resents the attention, respect, love and forgiveness Jesus offers the woman washing his feet in today’s gospel. Simon’s reaction, Fr Peter points out, is like that of a snake so overwrought that it bites itself rather an enemy.  Like the woman, Jesus calls us to love. Love, Jesus explains, is the path to forgiveness – not resentment.

Today’s Readings

Let no one have contempt for your youth.
1 TM 4:12-16

“Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
LK 7:36-50