Pam McCulloch

John 12:1-8

Monday, March 12

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 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. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (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). Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." – John 12:1-8

Do you remember the story by O.Henry, The Gift of the Magi? It is the story of the love of two people who had little and gave of their most important possessions as Christmas presents. Della sold her beautiful long hair so she could buy Jim a watch fob for his Grandfather's watch. Jim sold the watch so he could buy beautiful combs for Della's hair. They gave each other their love.

In this lesson, Mary gave selflessly of her beautiful fragrant oil, an oil that may have been used to anoint a body after death. She anointed Jesus' feet with this oil. Mary loved Jesus so much she honored him by this anointing and humbly wiping his feet with her hair.

Jesus loved not only Mary, but all of God's children so much that he gave his life that we might be forgiven. He gave the gift of himself, a most precious gift.

Questions for reflection:

• What gift do you give to those you love?
• What gifts have you given to Jesus?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, we thank you for the gift of yourself. Help us to give what we have to others in your holy name. Amen