Jesus Anointed at Bethany
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
Reflections:
It's sometimes tempting to discount others' expressions of devotion and love towards God, especially if they don't fit our norms, our culture, our expectations. We're uncomfortable with over-the-top expressions of faith and love. Those radical or bizarre "Jesus freaks" kinda freak us out. Likewise with Mary, who breaks the neck of the bottle of the really expensive perfumed balm and pours all of it out on Jesus, and in doing so breaks the mold. It's too radical, too over-the-top for us. The gift, says one writer, "...breaks all patterns, defies common sense, and simply gives." And so Mary's act of anointing is appropriate. It's too much; just like Jesus' self-giving, right? Spontaneous, unconditional, extravagant, over-the-top.
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