1 Corinthians 15:1-11 / Luke 7:36-50
I read about this sharing from a member of the Alcoholic Anonymous and this is what that person said.
"Sometimes I wish that everyone became an alcoholic for a short time. It's like entering into a dark place and falling into a dark hole.
But when you hit rock-bottom, and then slowly climb back up, it changes you the way you wouldn't believe it.
Before you may have been proud; now you're humble because you know how vulnerable you are.
Before you may have been selfish; now you're loving because you know what life without love is like.
Before you may have been judgmental; now you are more forgiving because you know from bitter experience how easy it is to fail."
In the gospel, Jesus illustrated this point with Simon the Pharisee and the woman.
And there is another point : we may not be alcoholics but surely we are addicts - sin-addicts.
When we realize that, then we will know what it means to forgive and to be forgiven.