Today's meditations all come from the story of our Lord's passion and some of the events leading up to it.
I found myself fixated on the story of the Anointing at Bethany and consulted the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture for a deeper explantion.
The woman of Bethany pours the contents of her alabaster flask (perfumed oil) onto Jesus' head while He reclines at table. This takes us back to the Old Testament where the high priests of Israel were anointed with oil on the head since the time of Moses (Leviticus 8:12) as were the kings of Israel in the time of the monarchy (1 Samuel 10:1). Both traditions lie in the background of Israel's hope for the Messiah -- the "premier" Anointed One to come.
Then there's the fuss over how the woman chose to use the expensive oil. Certainly, it was an expensive luxury item. But that only goes to show the abundance of her generosity. She recognized that Jesus of Nazareth was more precious still. The extravagance of the gift speaks volumes about the worth of the Recipient.
But the significance of her gesture extends further. Not only an act of devotion, it is also an act of preparation. Jesus says the anointing was to prepare Him for burial. Even though this probably wasn't the woman's intention, she unknowingly played a part in the fulfillment of a divine plan. It is God, knowing that Jesus will be buried in haste, who arranged by His providence for this anointing to take place beforehand. WOW! This helps to explain why Jesus attaches such tremendous significance to the woman's gesture.
This woman definitely had an extravagant love for Jesus. Consider that she gave her best to the Lord. It is doubtful whether the woman had any possession more valuable than a flask of perfumed oil imported from a distant land. Yet because nothing could be more valuable than the life of Jesus laid down for us, only such a gift was suitable to acknowledge this. Consider too that she gave it ALL to the Lord. Nothing is held back. She could have poured out a small amount and still made a memorable impression. But her generosity was unrestrained by any desire to save something for herself.
Little wonder that the woman of Bethany is remembered for her loving deed. Every believer is urged to make such a response to Jesus. It is when disciples like you and me offer all that we have, holding nothing in reserve, that the world comes to learn how precious Jesus really is.
Mary, help me to give all for Jesus!
2 comments:
Wow! Beautiful reflection calling us to give our best, our "everything" to Jesus. I am going to reread this posting when I have time to sit and reflect on it. Thanks for this beautiful posting.
The world doesn't know how precious Jesus really is because too many of us are holding back. Do we offer to take someone's hand and pray with them or promise to pray for them later? Do we say those encouraging words on our tongues or are we afraid of sounding silly? Do we reach out to the older lady in the pew or keep our distance because she seems crabby?
How many opportunities to be the woman of Bethany do we pass up because we are afraid of what others will think?
Jesus, help me to fill in the gap between the love you have received and the love you have needed.
Post a Comment