Anointed

Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood in the temple, ‘What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?’ Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should let them know, so that they might arrest him. 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 11:55-12:8

Creator you are the author of abundance

giver of compassion, source of all joy

in the midst of struggling and conflict

you bring us light and your holy spirit.

We do not always have your compassion

we are quick to judge others' extravagance

yet we are shameless in out own indulgence

and shower gifts on those we love.

You sat with you friends and betrayer

and accepted the loving gift of friends

even when she was criticized and shamed

you defended her selfless act of love.

Help us follow as you lead us daily

to tables and rooms where conflicts erupt

bringing honor to places of criticism

and love to the very edge of impending war. Amen.