Lectio: John 12:1-8
March 21, 2010
John 12:1-8
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. ” It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
This is a story of gratitude. Jesus enters Bethany where, at Lazarus’ house, a dinner is thrown in his honor after having previously raising Lazarus from the dead. Whatever your favorite and finest meal may be, Martha’s cooking was the finest, the house was no doubt all together and everything just right. Mary also poured out extravagantly to Jesus, her brother was dead but now alive. They didn’t think twice about how much the dinner cost, or how much the oil cost, it was nothing at all in comparison.
This is a story of paradox. Jesus, who’d raised Lazarus from the dead, would soon go to his own death, which Mary anointed him for, wiping his feet with her hair. They poured out love and respect to Jesus this day, in a few days he would be mistreated and abused, even the disciples would run away or deny him.
We have a choice to react like Judas, considering ourselves the first priority in all things. But if we remember the things Christ has done, pouring his love on us like a sweet perfume, how can we react any other way but to desire to reciprocate like Martha and Mary?
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[...] Lent #36 – Gratitude By theporchers Lectio: John 12:1-8 [...]