In the beginning of the book Eleven Minutes, Paulo Coelho mentions a beautiful text from the Gospel of Luke. I really love this one. Let me put it here...
And behold, a woman which was in a city, a sinner; and when she knew that Jesus was sitting at meet in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment (perfumed oil).
And standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed her feet, and anointed them with ointment.
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, whould have perceived who and what manner of woman this is which toucheth him, that she is a sinner.
And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master say on.
A certain lender had two deptors; the one owed five hundred pence, and the other forty. And when they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?
Simon answered and said, he, I suppose to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she hath washed my feet with her tears, and wiped them her hair.
Thou gavest me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this she hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
And behold, a woman which was in a city, a sinner; and when she knew that Jesus was sitting at meet in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment (perfumed oil).
And standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed her feet, and anointed them with ointment.
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, whould have perceived who and what manner of woman this is which toucheth him, that she is a sinner.
And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master say on.
A certain lender had two deptors; the one owed five hundred pence, and the other forty. And when they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?
Simon answered and said, he, I suppose to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she hath washed my feet with her tears, and wiped them her hair.
Thou gavest me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this she hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luke 7:37-47
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