Leave Her Alone

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.’ When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well. John 12:1-10

Wondrous Creator we give you thanks

for accepting our small gifts and actions

as honoring you and the many ways

you have brought us through these times.

There are so many who serve us now

who we rarely see and never acknowledge

yet our lives are dependent on their love

their selflessness and their faithfulness.

In every season there are those like Judas

who worry about money and power

yet you protect and defended the giver

you honored her above all others.

May we see your love in every gift

in every courtesy and every kindness

and may we show your love abroad

by serving others in your name. Amen.