One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him - that she is a sinner."

Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "speak." "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly."

Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

In the Bible text, Simon is critical of the woman who is washing Jesus' feet with her tears, wiping them with her unbound hair and finally pouring perfume over them, kissing His feet while doing so. Jesus points out to Simon that this act is all she has to offer. She is aware of nothing else, only her overwhelming love for Him. Because of this selfless act she has received forgiveness for her sins. Simon, on the other hand, felt no need to serve and love Jesus. He thought he was a good, respectful man among his peers and God. He believed he was self-sufficient and therefore in no need of forgiveness.

We often fall into this trap, thinking we are "good" and "respected" - therefore like Simon, in no need to ask for forgiveness as we feel we have done "no wrong." We must remember that the greatest of sins is to be conscious of no sin. However, God is love, and love's greatest glory is to be needed. Our need will open that door to forgiveness from God.