The Fifth Sunday in Lent
April 6, 2025
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
In this extraordinary moment in Jesus' ministry, we find him being anointed with expensive perfume. A beautiful smell filled the home, yet Judas objected fiercely and was judgmental and angry. Judgment and self-righteous anger often lead us into deep trouble, as it did for Judas. This tender scene of a very personal gift is disrupted by selfish indignation and jealousy. Too often we are motivated by these instead of being motivated by love. Mary acted out of deep love. Today, I celebrate the 23rd anniversary of my consecration as bishop. Despite all the challenges and changes that have happened over these years, I hold fast to the moments of tender care, the moments when my heart was touched by the love and support of another. So many, now with the ancestors, stood with me in my darkest times. May we who face dark times, remember that offering of kindness and love will get us through, and there are many aching for a small moment of kindness and support.
A Litany for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
Wondrous Creator, your love enlivens us
your forgiveness and healing restore us
and your arms enfold the one who are suffering.
Lord Jesus, help us to hold fast to your deep love for us.
We want to act out in our self-righteous anger
we want to complain and judge in our jealousy
and we refuse to see your arms reaching to hold us.
Lord Jesus, help us to hold fast to your deep love for us.
Although we do not deserve your deep love for us
you shower us with beauty and new hope in season
the signs of your presence are everywhere around.
Lord Jesus, help us to hold fast to your deep love for us.
Lift us from all tempest and fears for our safety
and help us turn to you in every waking hour.
Lord Jesus, help us to hold fast to your deep love for us.
Despite all of our failings and our cruelties
you see us all as your beloved and call us your children.
Lord Jesus, help us to hold fast to your deep love for us.
You breathe with us as we walk this sacred earth
and you welcome us with joy to our eternal home.
Lord Jesus, help us to hold fast to your deep love for us. Amen.
dedicated to the memory of the Rev. Dr. Carol Hampton
