This is for real as I am startled. Had a conversation with a deep Christian about the woman who washed Christ's feet with her tears. His thoughts are that it was an act to seduce Christ as in a temptation.

I outwardly laughed as I stated never have I heard the interpretation before as I thought she was crying tears of repentance. This I still believe.

The gentleman whom I was " sharing " Holy Week thoughts is a Pentecostal. Your thoughts please is what I ask.

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), March 28, 2002

Answers

This demonstrates what a danger the Protestant sects are to Christianity. Such blasphemy is the result of the belief that Scripture is open to individual interpretation, and you should not dignify it with a response. -- jake

-- jake (jake__@msn.com), March 28, 2002.

Simple case of a man who has a very odd (and very incorrect) opinion about that woman's motives. Not sure it approaches blasphemy since it's not misinterpreting doctrine or anything like that and it doesn't speak to the character of the Lord Himself, just the woman at his feet. Nor is this indicative of any Protestant tendancy. Everyone forms opinions when they read scripture - can't help it, it's human nature. Even Catholics do this without necessarily blaspheming the Lord or violating any Church rules against forming opinions. Now, if that opinion involves doctrine and is contrary to the doctrine of the Church, that's another matter. But that's not what's happening in Jean's example.

Jean, I'd be curious to hear the man's justifications for thinking that. I just think your friend is misguided.

My personal interpretation of that verse is that the woman was showing Christ her graditude and love for what He had done for her (forgiveness and acceptance) - in other words, she was worshiping Jesus. Her love was not erotic in the least, but the kind of intimate love that we, as Christ's bride, are called to express to Him our bridegroom. Jesus explained the passion of her type of love when he said, 'those who have been forgiven much, love much'.

David

-- non-Catholic Christian (dlbowerman@yahoo.com), March 28, 2002.

Thank you all for th input as this person I referred tois a Certified Psychiatrist wohm I have know many years. It always astounds me at times when a sexual interpretation is give. Were one wanting to look into the romantic aspect of the Bible Pslams are my number one. Great stuff.

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), March 30, 2002.

As Freud says:

"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), March 31, 2002.

Mateo - I love you responce as this is so true in this case.

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), March 31, 2002.