Holy Week
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Jesus Blesses a Woman’s Extravagant Deed!
1It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 2“But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”
3Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.
4Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5“It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.
6But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Mark 14:1-9
Once again we see that Jesus’ understanding of a situation goes beyond that of the average person. It’s understandable that some at the dinner party saw the woman’s extravagant gift as a “waste of money.” (Particularly, if we understand that the one who said it was Judas, as we’re told in another gospel, and that he said it because he regularly stole from the coffers of the disciples’ funds!) But Jesus immediately praised the woman. He foretold of His death as He pointed out that she was anointing His body for burial. He also said that her gift would ALWAYS be remembered. The message for us is to hold Jesus in the highest esteem, to give our best to Him, even when others think it’s extravagant, and we, too, will be blessed.
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
What is the greatest gift you could give Jesus? Have you given it to Him? Why or why not?
If you had been at the dinner party that evening in Bethany, how do you think you would have responded to the woman’s actions? How can we know when an act is wasteful or faithful?