Spiritual Hiccups - Love, Logic, Forgiveness, and Relationship

I have to admit that I'm a little confused by some of the logic in today's gospel reading.  The story is straightforward enough.  Jesus is invited to dinner at a Pharisee's home, and while there a woman "who was a sinner" (this status is never a point of contention) comes into the home a begins to cry on Jesus' feet, wiping the tears with her hair, and then anointing Jesus' feet with ointment.  Presumably this woman's status is well known to Jesus' host and many other of the guests, and they are understandably a bit mystified that Jesus permits this to go on.

Being polite host, the Pharisee says nothing, but Jesus doesn't let that stop him from having a discussion about the matter.  Jesus asks his host a question about a creditor who forgives the debt of two who owe him money, one a great deal and the other a small amount.  The host, named Simon, easily answers Jesus question about who would love the creditor more, and Jesus then applies this analogy to the woman.

And this is where I get a little lost logically.  The woman seems to have "shown great love" prior to her sins being forgiven.  Her behavior anticipates what has not yet happened.  Or does it?  Has she already recognized God's love for her in Jesus, already sensed God's embrace in Jesus?

I'm really not sure.  But while the order is confusing, what seems certain is the relationship between love and forgiveness.  As Jesus puts it, "Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little."

Left unanswered by Jesus is the question of what makes a person "one to whom little is forgiven."  Is this a simply statement assuming some need lots more forgiveness than others.  Or does it imply that religious folks who assume that they are right with God don't realize their own need for forgiveness, and hence do not show great love?

A lot of us like to believe we bring as much to our relationships as we take out.  Many of us prefer the balance to be a bit in our favor, imagining that our friends and lovers are lucky to have us.  I think it rarer for us to be in relationship where we say, "I can't believe this person wants to be with me."  And I wonder how much of a problem this poses for relationship with God.

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