Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Scripture Reading: Mark 14:1-15:47 “While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the
leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard,
and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to
one another in anger, ‘Why was the ointment wasted in this way, for this ointment could have been
sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.’ And they scolded
her. But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for
me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you
wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body
beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole
world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’”
The anointing of Jesus at Bethany is a beautiful story of love and devotion to Jesus. The woman,
who is not named in Mark, but is named as Mary in the gospel of John, offers a gift of great
extravagance in honor of her Lord. When the disciples chastise her for her actions Jesus
reprimands them saying that what she has done is prepare his body for burial. Those must have
been difficult words to hear, even though they all knew that being in Jerusalem was dangerous for
all of them.
The use of fragrant oil to anoint Jesus was a very tangible expression of Mary’s faith and love.
Jesus spoke of it with deep gratitude saying that what she had done would be remembered. It has
been remembered! The anointing with oil is among the most tangible sacred acts in our Christian
faith. The use of water in baptism and the washing of feet remind us of God’s cleansing
forgiveness and servant love. Ordinary bread and wine become symbols of the body of Christ
broken out of love and forgiveness. The burning of incense is fragrant reminder that we are the
fragrance of Christ, a fragrance of holiness.
During this week we will remember the sorrow and suffering of our Lord. On Maundy Thursday
we will break bread and drink from the cup remembering the bread broken and the cup of life Jesus
poured out for us. In our Sanctuary the baptismal font will be kept filled with water so that we
might touch the water and remember that we have been baptized into the body of Christ. We are
a part of his ministry, we are the messengers of his story, we are disciples who are entrusted with
making disciples. Together we will taste and touch the physical reminders God has given us.
If you have a fragrant ointment or oil, take some into your hand and breathe in its fragrance.
Remember the story of the woman who spent her money to bring the very finest gift to her Lord.
Ask yourself, what will I bring? Bow before Jesus in love and devotion and reflect on what gifts
you will offer him? Mary followed Jesus to the cross and was one of the first to see the risen
Christ. She was the first to proclaim that Jesus was risen. She was a faithful disciple. How will
you live out your life as a disciple of Jesus?
Prayer: Fragrant God, I breathe in the fragrance of your holiness. As I exhale, may my breathe
be my life given in service to you, reaching out to all who are in need of your love. May my
devotion grow and carry me through all of life, I bow before you in service. Holy God, I belong
to you, use me as you will.
Rev. Sue Trigger