Great Love

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he 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 wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss 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 are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at 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.” Luke 7:36-50

Great Love

When the sun will not shine
and the drizzle is cold and stings
hiding the tears, the leftover bad dreams
in the dank puddles of my existence
you are there.

When I lash out in anger biting
words and hardhearted accusations fly
when I am bent in fury humiliated
by life and pompous know-it-alls
you are there.

When the burden heavy and deep
heaves me to the ground on my knees
in the darkness and the shame
in howling wind, no visibility
you are there.

When I begin haltingly and end badly
you are there.

When I fall into the same pit over and over
you are there.

When I think I know it all and gloat
you are there.

No greater love can one know
than the presence of the divine
love at my shoulder at my elbow
at my side with forgiveness, renewal
offered moment by moment
you are there.