Grace and Space

Lk 7:36-50

God moves first: The woman’s actions do not earn her forgiveness but show that she has repented of her sinful ways and has accepted the always-offered forgiveness of God.
Jesus tells of two debtors, one owing a huge amount, the other a much smaller sum. The creditor cancels both debts. The one with the bigger debt will surely be more grateful. The woman owes more and so is more grateful than Simon.
Both are forgiven, however. Jesus wants to dine with both Simon and the woman. Simon divides the righteous from the sinner. Jesus unites them both: for Luke this is what makes Jesus a prophet.