In Luke’s gospel, Jesus’ mission to proclaim good news to the poor is realized in the restoration of relationships with God and a new community by the power of God’s unconditional love and grace. Jesus’ message of forgiveness, as understood by Luke, offers a new and radical perspective regarding status and hierarchy, inclusion and exclusion, boundaries and crossing boundaries, credit and debt, and recipients of God’s divine favor.

This invitation to a transformed way of thinking and living elicits our human response, either positive or negative. When well received, Jesus’ message brings real hope and peace.In this story of Jesus, a Pharisee, and a woman, we are challenged to find our own story within and consider a faith response evidenced in love that can change our world.