Monday: In Service to the World

Jesus said,
 “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 

Read: John 12:1-7

Now.
The time frame in this story is “six days before.”
That is today.
Now is the time.

Jesus arrives at their door in Bethany.
“He’s here.” Six days before the Passover. Now.
He’s here, braving the Passover crowds, braving the turmoil. 

Martha serves. She hears the “now” of gathering around a table. Is this the First Supper? God bless the Martha’s of our world. God bless the work of her hands. Her gift of hospitality creates Love in the world for the good of us all. 

Mary pours. She hears the “now” of retrieving that pure nard from the place where she saved it. She empties it on Jesus’ feet.  God bless the Mary’s of our world. God bless her tears. Her tenderness creates Love in the world for the good of us all. 

Even Judas. Was it greed that wanted for himself the profit the perfume would render? Perhaps his heart was in the right place. He knows what good this money can do. There is possibility here. We don’t know. God bless the Judas’ of our world, grievous in their actions.  And yet there is always hope. 

Jesus blesses. Love wastefully, he says. When your turn to love comes, love wastefully. Much is dying all around us. The time is now. Love wastefully. Love like this matters. 

WELLSPRING OF LIFE, it seems there is so little we can do in this world of ours, there is so much to grieve, so much that worries us, so much that is unfair, so much pain and violence. And yet. And yet, we let our love flow. Now.  Now is the time. We trust our loving actions are part of the healing, for the good of us all. Amen.