And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. (Lk 7:37, 38)

For many years, night and day I pursued making money through my business. I neglected my husband and children because of greed. But God, out of His love, sent me a tribulation which brought me to a realization: my marriage was on the rocks, and I had missed out on years of my children’s lives and could not turn back the clock.

I knew I had to return to God and repent, but I felt only despair, hopelessness, and fear. I wanted to stop attending service and resign from all church responsibilities. I considered running away and moving somewhere else. I was ready to renounce my faith.

When we have been entrenched in sin, we naturally want to run away from God and hide in bitterness. We feel helpless to climb out of the dark pit. We are reluctant to pray and face others, and have a hard time believing that we can lead a new life in Christ.

The sinful woman in this story chose not to run away and hide. Instead, she gathered the courage to seek Jesus and find healing for her soul. She wasn’t deterred by the judgmental views of people who looked down on her because of her transgressions.

This outcast appealed to Jesus for compassion—He was the only hope of salvation for her sin-burdened soul. Through washing, wiping, kissing, and anointing His feet she demonstrated her love and faith.

When I realized my spiritual adultery, I let go of my business and properties. I faced my family problems and worked hard to serve faithfully in all assigned church work. I brought my broken soul to God in tearful daily prayer and asked Him to mend me. Though unworthy, I experienced profound mercy, compassion, and overflowing blessings.

It is never too late to run to God. He will receive us into His embrace. With faith, we can believe that He will restore us. As Jesus said to the sinful woman, He will say to us: “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Question for Reflection:

Though we are believers, we sometimes stray far from God. What steps can we take to “come back” to the Lord?