Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
It was now only six days before the Passover celebration, and Jesus' earthly ministry was coming to an end. He knew his time was short, and perhaps he wondered whether or not those around him truly understood what the Kingdom of God was all about.
Isaiah understood the Kingdom. He knew God's presence would bring an end to armies and warriors; God's Kingdom would be a new way of living together; rivers would flow in the desert – even the wild animals would honor Him; and His people would praise Him by becoming who they were made to be – children of God.
The goodness and power of the Kingdom even found its way into the writings of the psalmists. "When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy..." As we pass from this earthly life into God's Kingdom, tears and pain will turn into shouts of joy: "[They] shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves."
St. Paul knew what it was all about, too. All his achievements and righteousness in this world compared poorly with what richness Christ brought to him: "I regard all these things as nothing compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord... I regard all these things as rubbish." Something touched him deep in his heart, bringing to light a soul connection with the love of God. he recognized the loving truth within.
And that brings us to Mary, who, caught up in the exuberance and passion of this Good News, pours out some costly perfume unto Jesus' feet, and wipes them with her hair, filling the house with the fragrance of her act. The righteousness of economics, however, cries out indignantly, "Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii and the money given to the poor?" Others present at the meal agreed – it seemed to be a more sensible thing to do.
Jesus defended what Mary did. He instructed those present at the meal by saying, "Leave her alone...you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." Jesus was not saying to stop giving to the poor – because this is, in fact, something that must be done. But he was trying to draw attention to something very important happening in this moment – he was trying to affirm and emphasize the very thing that keeps the reason for giving alive.
Mary was passionate about what she knew of God's Kingdom. Like Isaiah, the psalmists, and St. Paul, she knew that there was nothing that equaled its love and goodness. Jesus knew that Mary's affectionate heart was full of thankfulness, and she gave of what she had without thinking of its cost. Jesus said, "She has done a beautiful thing." (Matthew 26:10)
It's the passion we have for God's Kingdom that will lead us to give without measure (not only of our treasures, but also of our time and talents!) Oh, that Mary's gratitude infected the world! Jesus knew that without this passion, reason may prevail and diminish the desire to give of ourselves. God has given to us passionately, and this sets an example for us.
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
Through the hands of such as these God speaks,
and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
- from Kahlil Gibran's, The Prophet
Reflection Questions
1. When you give something to others, do you know why you do it?
2. Are you able to receive gifts graciously, so that you affirm the power of giving in others?
3. What do you understand the Kingdom of God to be?
4. Read through the scripture lessons for this Sunday again, and spend some time journaling your thoughts.
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