721 the fourth word she then heard from the mouth of God those most gracious words, that testimony of reconciliation with God, the pledge of the remission of her sins and that symbol of eternal friendship with the eternal King: “Your sins are forgiven” (Lk 7:48). Next, St. Augustine, contemplating diligently, as he knew how, this astounding and admirable affair, attributes it to a silent, but very efficacious prayer. He thus meditates upon Magdalene beseeching Jesus: “She shed tears of the heart and washed the feet of the Lord by an act of the confession of her sins. She dried His feet with her hair, kissed and anointed them. She spoke silently: She did not utter speeches, but showed devotion.”79 Therefore, she merited well to hear: “Your sins are forgiven.” After the expulsion of the demons, My grace is already within you, a love for Me, not a love for the world. God said this; God accomplished this. Thus it will remain forever. If [you are] deserted by God, possessed by an evil spirit, deprived of grace or burdened with transgressions, whoever you are: Groan, beat your chest, shed tears, cry out, shout out: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” Power will be given you from on high, the demons will be put to flight and your sins will be forgiven. You will be filled with God’s grace and glory. I conclude with Isidore of Pelusium: “Whoever strikes his chest and heart with compunction, and joining the choirs of heartrending and penitential words, dips his pen of penance into grief ’s chalice of tears at night, will not be deprived [of the benefits flowing from] the death of Christ undertaken for sinners.”80 79 The source of this text was not able to be found in the works of St. Augustine. 80 The source of this text was not able to be found.
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