Holy Monday
4/10
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor
with you, but you do not always have me.’
- John 12:1-8
The siblings Mary, Martha, and Lazarus had discovered so much about their teacher and friend Jesus of Nazareth. The learned from him that God loved them so deeply, so very, very deeply. They found compassion, invitation, and mercy in him. Of course they would have a dinner for him. Undoubtedly they offered the very best hospitality that they could.
And then… then… Mary did an extraordinary thing. She took an expensive perfumed oil and anointed Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her own hair. This went far beyond what could be expected, but she did it nonetheless out of her own reservoir of love and thanksgiving for Jesus and all he was giving to her, to her brother and sister, and to the world. It was an action of authentic and deeply rooted
love.
For Judas Iscariot the oil was too precious to be used for this purpose. He thought it a waste and was beginning to question his own following of and devotion to Jesus. Of course, the oil might have been sold, and the proceeds given to the poor, and Jesus was clear that care for the poor was the highest action and virtue. But that’s not the point. Rather this precious oil is used, because Mary had found something so precious in Jesus, and she knew that such an ointment would visibly demonstrate her love for him.
Holy Week is a time for us to discover how precious the love of God is in our own lives. It is to call to mind and heart what we deem to be of great and even supreme value. Day by day we walk with the One anointed with the oil of God’s
grace, compassion, and mercy, knowing that these precious gifts are given for us.
What and Whom do you hold precious in your own life? How have you found love of great value in your life… from others and from God? What are you willing to give to the God who holds you in such profound mercy and love?
- The Rev’d Dr. Jim Lemler
Rector