3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages[ and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.

This is a beautiful passage filled with poignant detail. Jesus is reclining at the table in the home of Simon the leper when a woman arrives carrying an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume which she breaks and pours over his head in an act of pure devotion leading to harsh criticism from those also present. ‘It is a waste….The cost of the perfume is equivalent to a year’s wages….It could have been sold and the money been given to the poor.’

Jesus is quick to respond and quieten the critics. ‘She has done a beautiful thing. She poured perfume on my body to prepare for my burial. Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.’

This story is told slightly differently in each of the gospels, and it is only in John’s gospel that Mary is mentioned by name, but the essence of the story is the same. It is a remarkable, generous, and loving act, that continues to inspire us today.

By choosing to pour the expensive jar of oil over Jesus’s head, the woman is likely to have known she would face criticism and some people may be angry towards her because they didn’t appreciate the significance of what she was doing and just thought of it as a stupid, wasteful thing to do. But the woman’s actions are profoundly generous and encourages us to follow her example. We are often called to provide radical hospitality and to step outside our comfort zone, to make sacrifices and love and care for others without counting the cost.

The power of this passage also rests in what we know from the events that follow but which the woman wouldn’t have grasped at the time. Just as she poured the perfume over Jesus’s head in an act of love so in a few days would he pour out his blood in love for us.

How is God speaking to you through this passage?
In what ways are you generous with your time, possessions, reputation, and comfort? Is God asking you to do more? In what ways ?
Are you willing to risk your public image to express your faith?

Lord, may I follow the example of this Holy woman. Help me to honour you without counting the cost, to step outside my comfort zone, to take risks, and to pour out your love for others. Use me in accordance with your will as your hands, feet, and eyes on earth.

Amen