3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4 But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the good news c is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” – Mark 14:3-9

Also Matthew 26:6-15; John 12:1-8 names Judas and Mary.

Response:

 

 

Lord,

why is it that we get jealous so easily of someone else’s perception or sensitivity or generosity?

 

It’s not only among your first disciples:

it happens among us still, often, far too often.

 

We have to admit:

we ourselves are among the poor, for there are so many ways in which we are impoverished.

 

We all need you to recall us to what really matters.

 

Mary is an inspiration to us:

 

we want to be more like her, to take your words to heart, to be more sensitive to what you are doing, and to pour out for you the very best that we have.

 

Response:

• Saved: Church, Lent