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Suprised by Generosity

Based on Lesson 7

The following is an exerpt from "Ancient Texts, Modern Voices," essays that offer a fresh perspective on the lessons in the 2003--2004 Horizons Bible Study, The Face is Familiar.

My five-year-old son came home one day and announced he wanted to give one of his favorite airplanes to his best pre-school friend, Abdu. I was surprised by this sudden rush of selflessness from a boy who cries even at the thought of parting with broken toys and old shoes. I was very pleased that he had discovered the art of giving from the heart, though, so I moved quickly to affirm his gesture. Indeed I was, and still am, overjoyed that he has been so touched by the gift of friendship that his generosity has been unleashed.

Much like my son, the unnamed woman who shows up unexpectedly at the house of Simon the Pharisee, and who pours out her quiet tears and her valuable perfume to anoint Jesus' feet, discovers the art of giving from the heart. She too is touched by the gift of genuine friendship---which includes respect, acceptance, compassion, honesty, trust and loyalty---extended by Jesus. Thus, she responds with enormous generosity, offering her most valuable possession and sharing even herself.

Yet not everyone extended her the same grace. In fact, while Jesus gladly receives her, Simon and the others sitting at the table bitterly resented her. As I read this Gospel text through the eyes of a Latin woman living in the United States, I notice the power, gender and economic dynamics at work in the passage. I cannot help identifying, at least initially, with this unnamed woman who is an uninvited and unwelcome guest at Simon's dinner party. Can you identify with her pain?

Magdalena I. García is pastor of Ravenswood Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois.

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