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What the Fathers say
Western Saints
Ambrose of Milan
Blessed is he even who can anoint with oil the feet of Christ, but more blessed is he who anoints with ointment, for the essence of many flowers blended into one, scatters the sweets of various odours. And perhaps no other than the Church alone can bring that ointment which has innumerable flowers of different perfumes, and therefore no one can love so much as she who loves in many individuals.
Gregory the Dialogist
"You did not anoint my head with oil." If we understand the feet of the Lord as the mystery of his incarnation, fittingly his divinity is designated by his head. Hence also through Paul it is said: "The head of Christ is God." For the Jewish people professed to believe in God, and not in him as if in a man. But it is said to the Pharisee, "You did not anoint my head with oil," because he neglected to proclaim with worthy praise even that very power of his divinity, in which the Jewish people pledged to believe. …
Bonaventure
Third, he sets her above him with respect to the anointing of the feet, which was a sign of devotion, when he adds: You did not anoint my head with oil: which was the custom at that time as a sign of gladness and exultation, according to that passage in Matthew chapter six: "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face." But she has anointed my feet with ointment, which is more precious than oil. …
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