Mary’s anointing
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday of Holy Week
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032513.cfm
John 12:3
Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair.
“What are you doing, woman?!” Judas voice sounded like a dog barking at me. I shook a little inside, because I knew that what I was doing was more than just washing Jesus’ feet. He had raised our brother from the dead. When Jesus wept and wailed at him to come out, Lazarus came out of his tomb wrapped in scraggly burial clothes. He was stiff, and he smelled.
Ever since that day, I’ve been thinking of Jesus’ own death. He seems so familiar with death; for him death is part of life. It seems to make no difference. There is no fear in him. We were sad and even angry that he didn’t come sooner to touch Lazarus and heal his body. I think Jesus was sad that we were sad. But never was he afraid.
Jesus’ feet are soft in spots, but mostly hard and strong. His skin is brown. His feet are like my brother’s feet, more or less. He walks everywhere, just as we do. Jesus’ feet are sore, just like ours. When I cooled them with the perfume and rubbed the tired muscles, he smiled and sighed, content. He closed his eyes. I felt his foot get heavier as he relaxed. Like a cat sleeping in the sun.
Judas’ words interrupted his rest. Jesus seemed irritated, and he told Judas that this was a time to honor God extravagantly, not to ration our supplies. “The poor you will always have with you.” That’s true enough.
I do often want to worship Jesus, and he usually points me back to Abba. But tonight was definitely different; he seemed to receive my worship this time. “Leave her alone!” he said to Judas. Judas was quiet then. Jesus turned and looked at me. His eyes were a little wet. Tears. Why?
I am happy he and his friends are sleeping in our house. They are safe here, from wild animals and robbers and soldiers in the night. We can all sleep quietly tonight, and rest our bones, and know how much we’re loved.
You are my light and my salvation, and I have nothing to fear. You are my life’s refuge, and I can always trust you, even when I don’t understand what is happening to me. You show me your bounty here and now, in the land of the living. You teach me the art of courage and show me how to wait. Thank you for your goodness in my life. (Psalm 27)
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1178
