John 12:1-8 (NRSV)
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Chapter 12Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. Verse 2There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Verse 3Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Verse 4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, Verse 5"Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" Verse 6(He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Verse 7Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. Verse 8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."
Devotion
When Mary anoints Jesus, we see an intimate act of love and kindness. The description of Mary taking the costly perfume, wiping Jesus' feet with her hair, and filling the house with her fragrant offering vividly wants to fill our senses, too. The action taken by Mary becomes a prophetic moment in the story because of its pointing ahead to the death of Jesus on Good Friday.
The love Mary shows in wiping Jesus' feet with her hair reminds me of a program called Locks of Love. Through this program individuals are able to donate their hair to children who endure a medical hair loss. This act of kindness and compassion by donors to physically share a part of themselves with children in recovery is an extension of Christ's love towards others. Their act of kindness can be a prophetic moment that transforms another person's life.
Prayer
Compassionate and loving God, use us as tools for your love that we may let others know about your mercy and goodness through your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.