This Gospel can easily give itself to a reflective meditation. Think of the Pharisee... sophisticated, worldly, his dining hall is set up in the "modern" Roman manner, with couches radiating from the table. He calls His friends to announce that he has succeeded in inviting the "prophet" to dinner. It is a time to watch him and to find fault to prove that he is not a real threat to their status.
As the guests on suggestion arrive early, the servant is there with the bowl of perfumed water and towel to bathe their feet and perfume for their foreheads. As they await Jesus, the servant is dismissed because the next guest is "only a small town hick".
They are not seated long when the "sinful woman" crashes the party, pouring out her love and repentance on the feet of Jesus with her tears. She then anoints his feet with a costly perfumed salve. The pharisees have "got him". He is obviously not a prophet. Jesus on the other hand is filled with love for this "one sinner who has repented". Only when criticized does he gently point out the courtesies absent from his welcome.
The unnamed woman, a sinner as conceded even by Jesus, is our best friend. There is nothing that we cannot admit to Jesus. There is no shame we can present to his judgement, fearing we will be repulsed. On the contrary, the more we are guilty the more he will forgive and heal.
