As we are nearing the end of Lent, we hear the story of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet. We cannot physically touch and anoint Jesus. However, as the collect for Sunday, notes we can remember that among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found. We keep our hearts on Jesus in our prayer and service. Then like Mary and Martha, we do worship and anoint Jesus.
The Gospel (John 12:1-8) tells us of Mary’s extravagant gesture of
love. We hear that Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard,
anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. This is not only an expensive
gift, but a very intimate action. The cost was likely around a year’s wages
(300 denarii) at the time. Mary’s act of wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair could
even have been considered wanton by those in the room. (Certainly, Judas finds
it offensive.)
In our worship, are we willing to be extravagant and even wanton? Sometimes,
we err on the side of decorum rather than doing something simple like lifting
holy hands in prayer. (1 Timothy 2:8) Mary’s action gives us permission to
offer all of ourselves to God when we pray and serve. In this image of Mary
anointing Jesus (from Bing images), we see her anointing and adoring the
roughest and dirtiest part of her Lord.
In my book, Sacred Story: Yours, Mine, Ours, I focus on the
earlier incident where Mary and Martha meet and minister to Jesus. (Luke
10:38-42) Although Mary is often pointed to as the paragon of faith by sitting
at Jesus’ feet, “each
of these women was an apostle in her own right. Each used her gifts in the
service of God.” I note, “Mary and Martha demonstrate that there is more than
one way to offer God’s love. Some of us may share love in active pursuits like
teaching and housework. Others may be more comfortable with prayer or song. The
important thing is to serve in love... [Mary and Martha] responded in different
ways to Jesus. We are inheritors of their inspiration to pray and to serve.”
Do (or how
do) Mary and Martha, in their differing responses to Jesus, encourage you in
your life and ministry to pray and serve?
I offer this
prayer from the Rev. Leslie Scoopmire, in closing: “Blessed Teacher, may we sit
at your feet and be transformed to follow your Way. May we seek to serve
others with gratitude. Unite within us the desire to learn and the willingness
to serve like Mary and Martha in their work for the kingdom of God. Give us
Martha hands and Mary hearts, opening our minds and spirits to serve you and be
guided by you. Let us proclaim your glory in words and actions. Make us your
hands and your loving wisdom in the world. Amen”
