Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Rachel’s Day
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Events
  • Belong
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to All Daily Grace

Seeing those at the margins

7.2.2023
|
Daily Grace

In Luke 7:36-50, an unnamed woman washes Jesus’ feet at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. Drawing Simon’s attention, Jesus asked, “Do you see this woman?” In doing so, Jesus challenged Simon to recognize the woman’s dignity and intrinsic worth as a human being. Jesus asked him to see her not as a problem but as a person. By forgiving her sins, Jesus interrupted Simon’s narrative – a narrative that framed her as unworthy and justified her marginalization. Jesus identified her, not as an object of disdain or pity, but as a model of hospitality and service.

For us, the phrase, “I see you,” has come to mean, “I understand where you are coming from.” When addressed to someone who has been rendered invisible, “I see you,” is a powerful statement that recognizes both the person’s presence and the person’s struggle to be acknowledged.

Jesus’ affirmation of the unnamed woman “at the margins” teaches us to recognize those whose contributions we may otherwise discount.

This message is excerpted from the Bible study “All are welcome,” by Julie A. Kanarr in the May 2018 Gather magazine. Today is the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.


Copyright © 2023 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected].

Share this post

Sign up for Daily Grace

Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your journey, offering a faith reflection every day. Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising grace by signing up for a daily email message.

Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2025 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2025 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.