"God gives where he finds empty hands,” says St. Augustine. Empty hands imply self-emptying and humility, which are rare virtues in a world full of pride and self-righteousness. We seem to be in a constant state of denying our sinfulness. An unknown writer paints this situation succinctly, saying that we have become “Very good lawyers for our own mistakes, but very good judges for the mistakes of others." When Jesus went to dine in the house of a Pharisee, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, approached him. “She 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” (Luke 7:38). She was like the Prodigal Son who returned to his father saying, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and you. However, she made her confession in non-verbal language through her tears and by expressing an extravagant love. Jesus did not hesitate to absolve the woman from her sins. There is a close connection between forgiveness and peace. The woman came to Jesus and He said to her: “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:49). If we approach God with a humble heart and a contrite spirit, we will surely be forgiven. How humble are we in accepting our sinfulness and asking God for mercy? Luke 7:36-50; Thursday, 24th Week