April 5, 2023
Wednesday of Holy Week
” While he was in Bethany [ just outside of Jerusalem ], reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” Mark 14:3
If you were in the room, where would you be sitting or standing ? You could be one of the disciples ? You are angry at the waste of the perfume (and the money). You do not know what to do ? Or you might be a friend of the unnamed woman. You knew she was going to do it, but told her she should not do it now. You worry for her safety. Or, you are Simon the Leper. Jesus might have healed him earlier, but he is still considered a sinner and one of the “untouchables ‘. He was so happy Jesus came for supper with his friends. But, what is happening with this woman ! Or you might be a spy of the authorities. You made Simon invite you to the dinner under the threat of violence. You will report this dinner and the anointing to your superiors. Or, you might have been watching from another building, and seen the woman rush in and break the bottle, and throw the perfume on Jesus, and now she is waiting. And the whole house smells of perfume. What is your reaction to the scene here at Simon’s place ?
PRAYER
God, creator , redeemer and sustainer.
What can we do to honour you ?
The woman knew what you, Jesus,
was going to do.
Die.
She risked it all, everything, all at once.
We remember her act of defiance
to this
very day.
During this holy week of remembering,
What can we do,
What must we do,
What will we do ?
What did she do ? AMEN.
Fred
Birds perch on branches
joining the peaceful chorus
of Courage’s song
Monika Pieper Landoni 2023