Matthew 26:6-13 (NRSV)
A woman anoints Jesus
Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."
Reflection
Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."
Reflection
You might think like the disciples here. What a waste of oil. If we are called to love and care for the poor, why just throw it away on ourselves like this? But then again, this woman, had her eyes first fixated on Jesus. Her heart was concerned for her love for Jesus.
Now, it occurs to me that this woman is right on. We keep our eyes and our heart on Jesus and all of our other actions will follow. We please Jesus first, not ourselves or anything else, because we can have the trust, hope and faith that all else will fall into place.
We learn this task of giving devoted attention to Jesus, and surely we will know how to give our devoted attention to the poor, sick, hungry, or just the person in need. In that person we will see Jesus and lavish our love as ointment.
Just what would please Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, it's all about love for you. Love, trust, hope and faith in you. In this I gladly give my life as a living sacrifice to what is most wonderful...you. In my response to your love, action flows forth freely to you and to all you give to me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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