THE WOMAN AND HER ALABASTER BOX-LESSONS IN GRATEFULNESSIn middle eastern culture, food and feasting were essential features. It was how family and friends fellowshipped, the welcome gesture to any visitor. It was the symbol of relaxation, hospitality, and generosity, and sometimes a show of affluence.The story in Luke chapter 7 describes one such occasion. Jesus was present as a guest. Being a desert region, sojourners would trek or ride donkeys’ long distances through hot and dusty roads to reach their destination. By the time they arrived, their feet would be dirty and must be washed before they made their way into the house. The feet-washing exercise, though, was the job of the house's servants.Jesus was the special guest in the Pharisee's home, and merriment was in full gear. Just as everyone was lost in their mirth, then came into their midst a woman of "easy virtue." Gingerly bearing an alabaster box, she made straight to pour same on Jesus' feet. On citing her, silence and the sweet fragrance of the perfume engulfed the room. How did she get in? Who invited her, and what did she want? Not minding their gaze, she continued her mission, poured the entire content of an alabaster box on His feet, and wiped them with her hair. The occupants of the room were alarmed. What an audacious move! If Jesus was indeed a prophet, He should have known she did not qualify to be in their presence. Why would she waste such expensive perfume? A whole year's wage for dirty feet? What is a woman of loose virtue looking for in such an august gathering Pray tell, in their conceit, how would they imagine she had a noble cause and her deed was divinely orchestrated. Jesus was supposed to be a special guest of honour, yet, no one washed His feet before he came into the house. This woman did much more than washing feet; she anointed them. To think she was showing her heartfelt gratitude. Her "thank you" was meeting the Master's need and incurring the wrath of hypocrites. Amazing! Did she envisage the effect her actions would have? We can safely answer, no, she did not. Her life revealed that when our worship is from the heart and in gratitude to God for all He had done, we might just be etching our names and deeds in the tablets of history.Interestingly, the people who queried the woman's actions and Jesus' "no reaction" did so because she, by her action, exposed their hypocrisy. How did they know she was not worthy? Who made them judge? They were all feasting in the Pharisee's house and needed a saviour. Plus, the fellow who thought her generosity was wasteful, we are told, did not care about the poor; To think that men are quick to accuse others of what they are equally guilty of.Before we close this discourse, let us look at the age-long profession of prostitution. What is it about the trade?Why is it deemed a woman's bane? What happened to the men who engaged them? How should we label them?What makes the institution so ingrained in society?Is it the power that the men have over the women involved? Or the hold the women have over the men that patronise them?Could it be the freedom to do as they pleased?Why would anyone choose the profession? Could it be money, influence, lack of self-worth, or the sweetness of stolen waters?What exactly made prostitution an age-long profession?As for the woman in our story today: we do not know for sure what her trade was (Some thought she was a prostitute), but we do know that she was labelled a sinner by people who should wear a double badge of the same title.Pray tell, is one sin bigger than another? Did the scripture not say that all men have sinned and fallen short of God's glory? So, what is with the finger-pointing?