In remembrance...

Mark 14:3-9

The Anointing at Bethany

While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

What she has done ...

Gifting her precious ointment

Sensuously pouring it on Jesus' head

Not minding those

with whom he dined

Overcoming her fear

with love so pure

it could not be denied

Stepping into the line of fire

because it was now or never

will be told...

Told with scorn

Told with wonder

Told with derision

Told with awe

Embellished

Diminished

Repeated in myriad ways

in remembrance of her...

Who did this

in memory of him.

Prayer

God, just for a moment give us the audacity to do as this woman did,

taking risks to show our love. Stepping out of line and not counting the cost.