Ada's Secret by Nonnie Frasier Read Free Book Online Page B

to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and 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 tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 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. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. "
    “This passage alludes to the delicate subject of this woman being a prostitute.” I shot a furtive glance to see how Patrick was receiving this sermon. He sat cold, unmoving, but pain and rage filled his eyes.
    “Now in those days, and even now, when men went astray, women were blamed.” Pastor John’s sermon continued, “Let us assume a young woman is abused and beaten by every man she has known in her life. She tries to make an escape from her brutal situation. Praying for a better life, she chooses a mail-order-bride husband. In his letter, he tells her he will give her a good home and take care of her. She trusts him believing she will escape her current condition. Her hope of becoming a respectable wife in a new life is within her grasp, but her dream is soon dashed. She finds that her future husband is just another of the cruel, brutal men in her life.
    “He marries her only to make a slave of her. He works her harder than he would any beast of burden. He takes of her as he pleases. He beats her, and when he is tired of her pleasures, abandons her, to spend her last hours on earth as though she were trash, alone in some dirty alley.” Pastor John moved out from behind the pulpit. Slightly bowing over, he gestured with both hands toward the floor as if she were lying there in front of him.
    “She has tried to be an upstanding woman, entering into marriage with honorable intent. Now abandoned, penniless, and without support, what options does she have?” Pastor John paused to allow the question to sink into the hearts of the congregation while making eye contact with some of the parishioners, who held their heads high.
    The young preacher stood, and stepped again behind the pulpit. He looked compassionately at the ladies sitting in the back pew. “As she sits in the alley, she contemplates her fate. Hungry, cold, and alone, she knows that her virtue and honor are the only things of value that she has left. As this destitute young woman begs in the street, another man finds her. Does he support her and help her find the right path? Does he give her gainful employment or tithe any of his hard-earned money to charities that would