Sunday 6th April, 5th Sunday of Lent

When I was a child I was never happy with Christmas presents that turned out to be socks (or, one infamous Christmas, three individually wrapped fountain pens). I have never seen the point of giving as a special gift things that someone would need to buy for themselves anyway. In today’s Gospel reading, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus pours a pound of expensive perfume over Jesus’ feet and wipes it off with her hair. This is a shockingly extravagant, scandalously intimate, even wasteful act, which draws immediate criticism from Judas (who has his own dubious motives) that the money could have been better spent. But Jesus receives the offering for what it is – an expression of love – and commends Mary for it. When resources are tight and need is great, it’s easy to feel that we should focus on what is practical, but sometimes God would prefer us to do what is meaningful. The extravagance of Mary’s gesture shows not only the depth of her love, but also that she understands that Jesus is going to Jerusalem to die. It shows that she, unlike the rest of the disciples, knows Jesus’ mind and heart. The Christmas presents that meant most to me were always those that showed that the giver had really understood what would give me pleasure. I treasure those gifts long after all the socks have worn out. As we journey with Jesus towards Jerusalem, what might we do to show him that we understand the significance of that journey, and to please his heart?

Every blessing,

Roger.