Lent 5 - “Leave her alone….”
“Mary took a pound of costly perfume…(and) anointed Jesus’ feet…But Judas Iscariot 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.’” John 12:3-7
In a week where the absurd theatre of one man defending a woman’s honour, (or was it his honour?), has consumed our attention (I might have had more empathy if the woman had delivered the slap!), Mary’s actions in our gospel for Sunday have soothed me!
I have done the maths. Three hundred denarii was an average years wage. Today that would be around $70,000. Or, in modern liquid currency, 27 ½ litres of Chanel no. 5!
The aroma in that room must have been staggering!
Mary’s actions, her priestly anointing of the Messiah, were absolutely astounding in generosity and love.
The words of Judas were a reflection of a grasping, greedy mentality – the money, if raised, would not have gone to the poor – but into the pocket of Judas!
As I approach Easter, this gospel story reminds me of the infinite love and generosity of God’s grace to us all – whether we are thinking or acting with either Mary of Judas (or a combination thereof).
Blessings
Ceri
