Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him that she is a sinner.’ ~ Luke 7:39 (NRSV)

Image: Origin unknown

When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. ~ Luke 7:25-25

Image: St. John the Baptist in Meditation, Hieronymus Bosch, c. 1489

Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy.

Image: African-American Woman Crying, photo by Laurin Rinder

‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. ~ Luke 6:43-44a (NRSV)

Image: Still Life Fruit, Gustave Courbet, c.1871

We praise you, Lord, for all your creatures, especially for Brother Sun, who is the day through whom you give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour, of you Most High, he bears your likeness. ~ St Francis of Assisi, The Canticle of the Sun

Image: Ettore Bassi as Francis in the 2009 film Clare and Francis

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. ~ Luke 6:35 (NRSV)

But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now,

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity. ~ Collect of the Day for Proper 21, Book of Common Prayer, p. 234

Image: Madonna of Mercy with Kneeling Friars, Fra Angelico, 1424

The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?’31Jesus answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick;32I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’ ~ Luke 5:31-32 (NRSV)

Image: Portrait of a Patient in St Paul Hospital, Vincent Van Gogh, 1889

Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living things too many to number, *

Image: Humpback Whale Breaching, Photo by Lisa Winchester for National Geographic