Creator God, you prepare a new way in the wilderness, and your grace waters our desert. Open our hearts to be transformed by the new thing you are doing, that our lives may proclaim the extravagance of your love given to all through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.
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 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you will always have with you, but you do not always have me."
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MUSINGS
This is the second week of my Lenten writing journey. Preparation of this segment has been less difficult than the first week. I certainly admire Pastors and others who make this task appear so effortless and trust that my gentle readers will continue to bear with me.
Passover is near and so too is the time of the crucifixion of Jesus. A stark contrast is made between Mary the believer in Jesus as the resurrection and the life and the stinginess of the unbelieving Judas with his greedy and self serving concerns. Jesus speaks of his burial which foreshadows his approaching death but the presence of Lazarus at Passover confirms that death is not final. Mary has anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive oil which also foretells the last supper when the Lord will wash the feet of his own disciples. Mary's anointment is a beautiful and loving act.
Judas attempts to use poverty as a weapon when he reduces economic justice to philanthropy for the poor as have many current politicians, wealthy individuals and public charities. "The poor will always be with you." Poverty is not God's will and Jesus was a supporter of the poor. In the community of believers no one is in need. Jesus does not simply minimalize poverty but eradicates poverty. Extreme poverty exists because it is side by side with extreme wealth. Jesus is thinking of his farewell and his imminent death. Believers should act promptly and willingly serve others. Our churches should be filled with Mary's blessed fragrance and abundant love.
This passage speaks to me about poverty, income inequality, World Hunger and the many people who have been marginalized by our contemporary society. Poverty and "the poor" have always been with us and continue to command our attention. Jesus does not diminish the serious nature of poverty nor the necessity for charity and generosity. Income and wealth disparity has been a strong focus of this presidential election year. All Christian believers need to concentrate on sharing our abundance with the impoverished and treating them with dignity and respect rather than viewing them as objects of pity to soothe our guilty consciousness.
Lord Jesus, thank you for covering my sins and leading me into the extravagant gift of new life. Amen.
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