In John 12, Mary took a pound of costly perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet so the whole house smelled of the fragrance. Have you ever experienced anything extravagant like this?
This gospel passage happens right after Jesus raised Mary’s brother, Lazarus, again to life – and right before Jesus’ final week leading to the cross. The word “anoint” is the root of the Hebrew word, Messiah, and the Greek word, Christ.
How does Mary’s extravagant act help prepare us to see how God is “about to do a new thing” in the anointed one, as Isaiah says? How does Mary’s act prepare us today for the shared journey of life, death, and new life?
What do you think Mary was thinking and feeling as she anointed Jesus’ feet? I can barely imagine the emotional roller-coaster through all these events. It seemed to bring Jesus deep comfort in the gospel.
We are getting to the end of our Lenten journey. We will soon move into Holy Week. How are you feeling about that now? Are you finding places where hope gets planted in, with, and under all the events of our lives? It’s okay if that’s not apparent to you now; we’re allowing space to keep open for God’s Spirit together.
Friends, with all the ups and downs already in 2022, I feel the need to hear afresh the promises that God accompanies us through it all. I find comfort in Mary’s act of anointing in this gospel and pray that you may be strengthened for your week, too.
Three Holy Days
In our tradition, we make space on Maundy Thursday to remember central parts of our faith story. We hear about the...
