Faith in action: Spill your most valuable ointment
Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair.
The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
John 12:3
By Rev. Canon Val Kenyon
AS WE ENTER these final weeks of Lent in anticipation of the celebrations of Easter, in one of our Gospel readings, we are told of a rather extraordinary action taken by Mary, the sister of Lazarus.
Shortly before Passover Jesus found himself in Bethany, and so the family took the opportunity to host a dinner for him. At some point during this dinner, Mary took the usual act of washing feet to a whole new level, as she anointed the feet of Jesus with what was clearly a very expensive perfume.
While perhaps this action was not visible to all present, it would only take moments until, as the Gospel writer notes, “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” and her action as well as her devotion became obvious. As the bystanders stood in shock at the display of this extravagance, you can imagine the gaping jaws, as the waves of scent washed over them. Remember, this was no ordinary oil.
What was this gesture of Mary’s all about?
While likely a response of gratitude to Jesus for the returning to them of Lazarus, it was so much more for in it, we see Mary’s faith in action. Having been to the edge of death and back again with Jesus, she was beginning to see more clearly who he was and what it was to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus.
In her kneeling at His feet and offering her gift, what to some appeared as an extreme act, she would model for others the way of discipleship, devotion, love and service symbolizes in this act.
Even in the midst of all the treachery and betrayal buzzing around them that night, mere days before Jesus’ death, Mary’s action, though wordless, was strong and resolute. Mary offered this expression of love freely and with all her heart.
Mary was free to act not because she never wondered, or doubted, or worried, but because she could trust in the renewing power of God in her life. She had seen it. She knew it to be true. Mary’s faith directed and informed her actions.
Central to everything that takes place in an Education for Ministry (EfM) session, the readings, the reflections, the conversations, lies this ever-present attempt to bring together our faith, our actions and our reactions. What does it look like to live into and out of our faith?
While like Mary there may be extraordinary expressions that we are called to make, there are also many daily opportunities to act and react as disciples of Jesus in our modest, every-day lives. Within the EfM gatherings, we support and encourage one another to be open to both the ordinary and the extraordinary work that God is doing in us, through us and around us.
If you would like to learn more about Education for Ministry and joining us, our online Open Houses will be on Tuesday, May 13th and Wednesday, August 27th with an in-person Open House on Wednesday, June 4th, all at 7pm.
Please reach out to Libi Clifford the Diocese of Huron EfM Coordinator or me, Val Kenyon at EFM@huron.anglican.ca to learn more or to schedule an alternate date for a presentation or for further information.
Rev. Canon Dr. Val Kenyon is EFM Animator in Huron.
(Illustration: Juan Martin Cabezalero. Mary Magdalene holding a jar of ointment - detail. 1669)