Forgiven

"Your sins are forgiven." Luke 7:48

Some things are so good it's hard to believe they're true.
Sunday's gospel, about the woman who enters the house of a Pharisee and begins to weep and anoint Jesus' feet with precious ointment, caused quite a stir. The dinner was for insiders only……and yet, this woman, a sinner, crashes the party.
The story is about forgiveness, and the gratitude we experience when we realize we have been forgiven. Forgiveness allows for restoration of relationships. It allows us to hope in a future. 
But this story is also about judgment and hardness of heart. There are those who feel forgiveness is so precious that it should be meted out sparingly or with strings attached.
This week, ask yourself how you feel about that.             Should forgiveness be rationed?             Do you believe your sins are forgiven?             Do you live as though you have a clean slate?
In the economy of grace, forgiveness is freely offered, freely given.  How do we respond?