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| Image by Michele Dorsey Walfred |
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A Greeting
Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
(Psalm 143:8a)
A Reading
Six days before the 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?’ 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 12:1-6;8)
Music
Meditative Verse
You prepare a table before me...
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
(Psalm 23:5)
A Reflection
By defending Mary, [Jesus] is revealing his need for her love and trust at a time when people have rejected him and are preparing to kill him. Mary is aware that because Jesus brought her dead brother back to life at her request, he is going to be arrested and killed. He has given his all for her. She responds to his self-giving love by giving her all, giving herself in a beautiful, foolish and scandalous way.
- from Drawn into the Mystery of Jesus Through the Gospel of John
by Jean Vanier
Verse for the Day
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness.
(Psalm 45:7b)
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| Image by Svetoslav Nikolav |
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This last day of our devotional project returns to the first day and the central event of the meal that Jesus is served by the family at Bethany. Mary breaks an alabaster jar of very costly nard and anoints him with her hair. We sense that this one gesture also expresses the love and devotion of her whole family but it is primarily an action completely from her own spiritual heart. It is one of the most passionate gestures in all of Scripture and is immediately subject to criticism and rebuke — by Judas and by the silence of the room that follows her wordless actions. The ancient custom of washing the hands and feet of a guest before the meal is radically upended by Mary’s gesture, coming as it does after the meal and crossing boundaries of gender. It is profoundly pre-meditated, daring and also an action of uncontrollable spiritual love. It foreshadows Jesus taking the towel and washing the feet of his own friends.
But how does such a gesture find measure in our own lives? During this past summer, the extended Lutherans Connect devotional team lost a cherished member, Karen Morris. Karen often contributed to these projects with inspiring suggestions for content and a passionate and unique voice of prayer. Prayer was embedded in her life as a part of her deep faith and desire to share her love of Jesus with others. She mentored youth, inspiring young people to become pastors and social workers. Karen also lived with quadriplegia. One of her health complications of the last years was an inability to digest regular food. Rather than complain, she wanted to be present at any table gathering where she could enjoy vicariously the pleasure others took in what they were eating. She would often ask us to describe in detail how it tasted. She would offer a table grace — for food she was unable to eat herself — that was generous and expansive. Karen’s passionate expression of love in prayerful support of others was her nard — her way of showing her deep devotion to Jesus, her way of anointing him. What is your nard? How do you passionately demonstrate your own love for Jesus? This Thanksgiving, how can our gratitude for the love that Jesus has for us find life in our own outward expressions of love for others?
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LC† Gathered at the Table is dedicated to Karen Morris
- by Sherry, Catherine, André and Steve
Blessings on your Thanksgiving!
-- and see you in Advent!
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If you would like to support the ministry of Lutherans Connect by donation,
follow this link and under "Fund", select "Lutherans Connect Devotions". Blessings and thanks!
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LC† Gathered at the Table is a project of
Lutherans Connect / Lutheran Campus Ministry Toronto,
supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
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