Wednesday, April 16, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Matthew 26:6–13

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.” (NRSV) 

Reflection

We’re told in John 11 that the woman in the story is Mary, whose siblings are Martha and Lazarus. In the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, it is clear all three siblings were friends of Jesus who loved him greatly, and we know from Luke 10 that Mary is the one who sat at Jesus’ feet to listen to his words while Martha hurried about to prepare a meal. Mary showed her love and deep gratitude to Jesus for his acts of kindness by anointing him with the ointment. When the disciples criticize her and call her use of the ointment wasteful, Jesus tells them she has prepared him for burial.

I don’t know how Mary came to have the costly ointment, but I wonder if Mary had some sense that something horrific was about to happen to Jesus, or maybe she was just saving it for such an occasion as Jesus’ visit. In any event, for her act of love, Jesus tells his disciples that wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what Mary did will be told in remembrance of her. I love this part of the story. Mary’s actions were indeed special, and Jesus recognized this in making this statement. He wanted us to remember her act of love. This strikes me as a reminder of the importance of acting out of love and that acts of love will be remembered. 

Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for reminding us to act out of love and that acts of love will be remembered. We pray for the fortitude to always act out of love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Written by Janet Love, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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