Regret – the key to God’s grace. What is the “perfect” regret?

Luke 7: 36-50
A Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him. He went into the Pharisee’s house and sat down to eat. There was a woman in the city, a sinner. When she learned that he was a guest in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of fragrant oil, cried from behind to his feet, began to tear his feet with tears and wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and painted them with fragrant oil. Seeing this, the Pharisee, who invited him, said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman it is that touches him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have you say something. ” He replied, “Tell me, Teacher!”
“A certain creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, the other fifty. Since they had nowhere to repay the debt, he forgave them both. Which of them would prefer it?” Simon replied, “I think the one he forgave more.” He told him, “You’re right.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I went into your house, and you did not put water on my feet. But she wet my feet with tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t kiss me. But she hasn’t kissed my legs since I came in. You didn’t oil my head. She rubbed my scented oil on my legs. Therefore, I say unto thee, Her sins are forgiven, for she loves much. He loves less; he loves less. “And he said to her,” Your sins are forgiven. ” Then those who sat down with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this that he also forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

We live in a time when we very rarely and sporadically hear the words: forgive, sorry, do not be angry … He does not know the names of forgiveness.

However, Jesus Christ tells us today: “Many sins are forgiven her, for she loves greatly” (Luke 7:47). Let us reflect on the sinfulness of man and on God’s merciful love. A merciful God forgives a sinner who acknowledges his guilt and the same God. The theme of God’s mercy and forgiveness is repeated in the new light in the gospel. Jesus comes to the house of the Pharisee to eat with him. Closer to Jesus comes; a woman is known as a sinner. Without words, only with tears. Jesus, He washed his feet, and wiped with his hair, and smells of fragrant oil. They all condemn not only the woman but also Jesus. “If this were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman it is that touches him. 39). Jesus again surprises all those invited with his behavior. A parable tells Simon, as Nathan the prophet once did to David. And he turns to the woman with the words: “Your faith has saved you, go in peace” (Luke 7:50). The repentant sinner often mistakenly identifies with the woman who anointed Jesus in Bethany (cf. Mt 26: 6-13). It is probably neither Mary Magdalene nor Mary Magdalene, Martin’s sister, but for us, it is not so important what kind of sinner it is, but more importantly, there is something completely different … A repentant sinner with tears in her eyes silently and humbly comes to She is aware of her sins.

And how is it in our lives? What role does repentance play in our country? Today we teach a man to live life to the fullest. Enjoy life freely. But this is where the turning point comes because one can, but not all, benefit a lot. Often, we hear someone say that they are not so bad that they are even worse than him. Sin distances us from God, from his merciful love. Only when we realize this will we know our downfall. And love is the one that drives us to this experience. “He who loves greatly is forgiven much” (Luke 7: 47b). The woman of today’s gospel is an example of this regret.

The story tells how in a particular pub, the owner was mortally wounded when he wanted to separate them. They sent right after the priest. However, there was a fear that he would be late. Therefore, the 9-year-old daughter of the innkeeper, who was learning about the sacrament of penance at religion, knelt to her father and said to him: regret and then come to heaven. I will forbid you to regret it, and you will speak to me. “The child chanted slowly, and the father repeated after him. When they had finished, the wounded released his soul.

Perfect remorse is not remorse fearing punishment. But it is regret that comes from the love that we have rejected with sin. Every sin is an insult to God, his infinite love for us.