The Lady With the Jar of Oil

     

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Deacon Tom Writes ©

The Lady with the Jar of Oil

Palm Sunday, Year B

We don’t know much from Mark’s rendering of the account of the woman who walks into Simon the leper’s house. But we do know that this was an important event for two reasons. First, because Jesus tells us that “wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her". Second, this story is told in all four gospels. (If you’re interested, here are the references:  Matthew 26.6, Mark 24.4, Luke 7.36, and John 12.1. You can see how other details are added to this earliest account we hear today from Mark).

What’s interesting in Mark’s account is that he doesn’t get caught up in personalities. Rather, he sheds some insight into how God provides us with all that we need in life just as we need it. Today, for instance, Jesus is in need; Jesus needs his spirit to be comforted…but none of his closest friends seem to be aware of his needs or realize Jesus is troubled.  (Does this strike a sour chord in us)?

Picture the scene. Jesus is having dinner with Simon and his guests and this uninvited woman comes in, breaks open an expensive jar of perfumed oil, and anoints Jesus’ head. There is a little outbreak on how unreasonable this is, to do such a thing at the expense of feeding the poor. (An estimate places the value of the oil at about one year’s wages for a field worker). But Jesus states an awful truth, “the poor you will always have with you”.  How prophetic and how sad!

This act of kindness by the woman with the oil comforts Jesus as his hour approaches. A stranger appears on the scene, performs an act of kindness, and then goes off into the night. Jesus needed to be strengthened and encouraged but he gets neither from his close friends and disciples, only from this stranger.

There are times in our lives when we have the chance to be an “angel of mercy” just like this woman with the jar. We have opportunities to lift someone’s spirits, give them some positive affirmation, encourage them, or cheer them up. It may cost us some time and some energy, and even some money. We may have to rearrange our schedules or go out of our way. But remember, it was expensive oil, a year’s salary. Remember too, as we come into Holy Week, that when we do any kind deed for another person, we are really doing it to Jesus who was so grateful for this act of kindness that he tells those gathered around the table, presumably even some of his disciples, that this outpouring of kindness will be remembered as long as the gospel is proclaimed throughout the world.

It seems increasingly apparent that we, the disciples of Jesus, need to imitate the teachings and practices of Jesus.  We need to practice acts of kindness, acts of forgiveness, acts of selfless giving within our families, communities, and on a global scale. As followers of Jesus we are empowered to bring the good news to everyone we meet in the course of the day. Not by quoting scripture, that’s too easy… rather, by reflecting the living Word that abides within us, and by being an oasis God’s love, healing, and peace to all who pass our way.

Enjoy the day and may you share in God's abundant grace this Holy Week.

Deacon Tom