Holy Week – Monday 3 April 2023
Call to Worship:
Amid the smell of hard labour
we gather and remember those who strive for a living.
Amid the fragrance of flowers blooming
we gather and remember the creation of God and its travails.
Amid the scent of expensive perfume
we gather and remember the gifts we choose not to give.
Amid the trace of salty tears
we gather and remember all those who fear loss.
Reading: John 12:1-8 – Mary Anoints Jesus
1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary 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. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 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.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
Reflection:
When you feel the shift …
in moving the focus from what is really happening
to a side-line issue
because you cannot understand,
or the consequences are too great,
or the pain too real.
When you feel the shift …
in Judas exclaiming his righteous words over the poor
while in the midst of them
the whole point of the scene was avoided,
as the Saviour’s preparation for death
is side-lined over economic matters.
When you feel the shift …
in twelve disciples having journeyed with the man for three years;
closest to his words,
nearest to his thoughts,
caught not understanding
while a woman on the side-lines
recognised exactly who he was.
When you feel the shift …
from what is in plain sight as heaven enters the room,
and gives of itself,
and humbly accepts a last request,
while the world moves the story
to welfare
and away from sacrifice.
When you feel the shift … in the story,
it is then you realise
something important,
significant,
and truly awful,
has happened
to our faith.
Prayer:
Jesus, what look was on your face as you felt the cool balm of perfume douse your feet,
and the tender tickle of hair caressing your soles?
Jesus, what look was on your face as the friend you knew so well knelt at your feet
and anointed your body?
Jesus, what look was on your face as you realised this perfume had been used once before
on the body of Lazarus?
Jesus, what look was on your face as Judas raised his voice,
Mary’s gift was questioned, and your reverie reviled?
Jesus, what look was on your face as Passover came ever nearer
and loves final expression neared its moment?
Jesus, what look would be on your face as Holy Week commences once more
and still the world struggles to live with your expression of love?
Jesus, what look is on our face as the cross looms at the end of this week
and we walk once more in your holy passion? Amen.
Blessing:
With the fragrance of expectation,
the scent of loving grace,
the trace of hope amid the fear,
and the aroma of abundance
may we go in love today,
and know God’s gift is always with us,
in Christ Jesus.